When you have a loose tooth as a child, it is an exciting milestone that you’ve been looking forward to. However, when you are an adult, this situation is quite the opposite. There are a variety of reasons why your tooth could be loose, including gum disease, tooth decay, and dental injuries. If you have a loose tooth, it’s important that you act quickly for a chance of saving it. Here are the steps you should take.
See Your Dentist
Once you realize that your tooth is loose, give your dentist a call to schedule an emergency visit. The longer that you go with your loose tooth, the less likely your dentist will be to save it. Do your best to be seen within 12 to 24 hours to maximize your probability of restoring your tooth to health.
Don’t Wiggle Your Tooth!
It may be tempting, but don’t wiggle your tooth with your tongue or fingers. If you play with it, you will only make the issue worse. Don’t chew on the side of your mouth and try not to touch it. Even if you think you will need to have your tooth extracted, you shouldn’t try to pull it out yourself. You’d be putting yourself at risk of infection.
Clean the Area
Don’t brush your wiggly tooth. You don’t want to loosen it further. Instead, make sure the area is clean by gently rinsing your mouth with warm water. This helps to wash away food particles and control bacteria buildup in the mouth.
Eat Carefully
When you have a loose tooth, this doesn’t mean that you need to go hungry until you see your dentist. Don’t chew on the side of your mouth where the affected tooth is and stick to soft foods so that you don’t make the situation worse.
Don’t Touch the Root of Your Tooth
If your loose tooth falls out, you should pick it up by the crown and avoid all contact with the root. Gently rinse away dirt and debris with water and place it back in the socket. If you aren’t able to keep it in place, put it in your cheek or a container of milk and head to the dentist. Try your best to receive treatment within an hour.
If your tooth is loose, don’t panic! Use the steps listed above and give your dentist a call. By acting quickly, you will have a greater chance of restoring your smile.
About the Practice
At Khoi Dental Group, Dr. Khoi Le and Dr. Edward Murray work together to treat patients in the Jacksonville community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need at one of their two convenient locations. If you have a loose tooth, they’d be happy to help during a same-day emergency appointment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (904) 262-8409.