Although it’s normal for children to develop loose teeth, it’s natural to feel worried if you have a wobbly adult tooth. It might destabilize for several reasons, such as sustaining an injury or suffering from severe tooth decay or gum disease. Whatever the cause, it’s at risk of falling out completely, so you should call your emergency dentist right away.
Thankfully, there are ways you can preserve your tooth and safeguard your smile while awaiting your appointment time to keep your mind occupied. Continue reading to learn about 4 things you can do if you have a loose permanent tooth!
Step #1: Don’t Touch It
You might feel tempted to wiggle your tooth to check its condition periodically, but doing so will likely only make things worse. Although teeth seem like immovable structures in your mouth, they’re actually held in place with muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues with a natural capacity for movement. If you push your wobbly tooth too much with your finger or tongue, you increase the risk of infection or could dislodge it entirely.
Step #2: Watch What You Eat
If you can’t see the dentist immediately, you might have a meal or two to get through with your loose tooth. You wouldn’t want to bite into or chew anything that could yank it out of place, so it’s best to avoid anything that’s overly sticky or chewy, like taffy, candy, or raisins. It’s also best to avoid hard foods like apples and nuts that could chip or push it out of alignment.
When you do eat, be sure to avoid chewing with your troubled tooth. To prevent a potential problem, it might be easiest to grind food only on the opposite side of your mouth.
Step #3: Keep Your Mouth Clean
Your mouth is full of bacteria that can penetrate the tissue around your pearly white and cause an infection or disease. Typically, brushing and flossing is the best way to keep oral issues at bay, but if your tooth is loose, you don’t want to put any extra pressure on it. Instead, rinse with warm salt water to naturally disinfect your mouth. As a bonus, this can also act as a pain-reducer and anti-inflammatory to address any associated aches or swelling.
Step #4: Arrive on Time
Be sure to leave the house with enough time to make it to your appointment so you can get help as quickly as possible. Once you arrive, your dentist will examine your mouth to determine the extent of the harm done and suggest potential treatment plans. Whether you need a dental splint to hold it in place long enough to successfully reintegrate with your jawbone or require extraction and replacement, they’ll work with you to devise an appropriate solution.
These tips can help you maintain your grin until your dentist can address the underlying issue!
About the Author
Dr. Durga Buchupally enjoys helping people improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. She earned her dental degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, and is an active member of the American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association. She takes the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals and then utilizes state-of-the-art technology to provide solutions tailored to your needs. Plus, she offers same-day emergency appointments so if you have a loose tooth, you don’t have to wait to be seen. You can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 464-8655.