Have a Loose Adult Tooth? What to Do Right Away

As a child, a loose tooth often meant a visit from the tooth fairy and extra money in your pocket. That said, this happening as you get older with your permanent smile can be more worrying. It’s important you act fast to preserve your oral health, so here’s a quick guide you should follow and what your emergency dentist can do to save your grin.

Don’t Mess with Your Tooth

While you might’ve played around with a loose tooth while you were younger, you shouldn’t do this to a permanent one. Don’t try to extract it yourself or put in a splint, as these can lead to problems down the line or increase any discomfort you’re already feeling. Instead, leave it how it is and do your best to avoid making the problem worse.

Gently Clean Your Mouth

Take a moment to clean your mouth of any debris and bacteria. You can rinse with warm water, but swish it around gently. Being too aggressive or vigorous can knock the tooth out of place. While you might think brushing and flossing can be effective, you may accidentally be too rough.

Avoid Certain Foods

You should call your dentist and make an appointment as soon as possible. There’s a rare chance you can’t be seen right away, and you may need to eat something if you get hungry. If so, then choose your plate carefully. Avoid anything hard, chewy, or sticky. These can lead to increased damage or discomfort. Pick softer options like mashed potatoes or applesauce and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

What Can My Dentist Do About My Loose Tooth?

When you have your urgent oral visit, your provider will do their best to save your tooth. After an oral examination, they will determine whether a splint is an effective solution. If so, then it will be placed while the gum and bone tissue grow back around the structure. If it cannot be salvaged, then you may need to consider replacements like dental implants.

That said, before these options, the cause for this incident will need to be found. Gum disease can be a culprit for some, so a deep cleaning can treat it. Regardless, your dentist is here to help you get back your worry-free smile.

About the Author

Dr. Saeed Rouhani earned his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry. He has over 20 years of experience, which he uses to give patients in Dallas the high-quality care they deserve. Dr. Rouhani is here for your dental emergencies with same-day urgent visits; that way, he can get to the bottom of the issue to give you a reliable solution. If your tooth is loose, the fastest way to schedule an appointment is by calling his office at 972-733-0999.