Everyone’s had a loose tooth before; it’s a natural part of growing up. However, permanent teeth should never come loose, and if they do, it should always be treated as an emergency. If you’re an adult and find yourself dealing with a loose tooth, it’s important to be able to stay calm so that you can handle the situation appropriately. Below are some important tips for dealing with a loose tooth in Boca Raton.
Schedule an Emergency Appointment Immediately
Before anything else, you need to call your dentist to let them know about your situation. A loose tooth is an urgent dental issue that needs to be treated as quickly as possible. Ideally, you should have an appointment within 12 to 24 hours of noticing the problem. Prompt treatment might mean the difference between saving the tooth and losing it.
Avoid Touching the Tooth
While it may be tempting to move a loose tooth around, touching it could make the situation worse. Do not push it around with your tongue or make any attempt to straighten it out. Also, you shouldn’t try to pull the tooth out of its socket even if you think it will need to be removed anyway; an improper extraction could cause a lot of pain and put you at risk for an infection.
Keep the Tooth Clean Without Brushing and Flossing
Oral hygiene is always a top priority, but you don’t want to risk loosening your tooth even further by disturbing it with your toothbrush. Instead, take some lukewarm water and swish it around in your mouth. This will rinse out any food particles stuck in your smile, and it can help reduce bacterial buildup in your mouth.
Be Careful While Eating
If you need to eat before your emergency appointment, do not chew with the side of your mouth where the loose tooth is located. Also, stay away from foods that could worsen the problem; for example, sticky foods like taffy could potentially pull an already loose tooth out of its socket altogether.
Get the Right Kind of Treatment
Dentists deal with loose teeth in different ways depending on the situation. Sometimes they might use a dental splint to hold the tooth in place, giving the root a chance to reattach to the surrounding jawbone. In other cases, they might need to prescribe treatment for gum disease (a common cause of loose teeth). And in the worst-case scenario, they might have to remove the tooth entirely and help you find a replacement.
A permanent tooth that moves around can be alarming, but knowing what to do can help you stay in control. Feel free to talk to your dentist during your next checkup if you’d like further advice on what to do if you have a loose tooth.
About the Author
Dr. Alberto J. Lamberti has well over 20 years of experience in improving the oral health of his patients. His Boca Raton practice offers same-day appointments for dental emergencies such as loose teeth, and his prosthodontic training makes him an expert at replacing any extracted teeth with lifelike prosthetics. To learn more about his office or schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (561) 338-7535.