If you get hit in the mouth or suffer from untreated gum disease, one or more of your adult teeth may end up becoming loose. This is a serious dental emergency; if you don’t want to end up losing the tooth altogether, then you need to take the right steps to keep your mouth safe and get the care that you need. To make sure that you’re prepared for the worst-case scenario, here’s a step-by-step guide to what you should do if you have a loose adult tooth.
1. Schedule an Appointment with Your Emergency Dentist
Loose teeth can be saved, but only if you act quickly enough. You’ll have the best chance of keeping your tooth if you are able to get to the dentist in less than a day. As such, the first thing you should do as soon as you notice the problem is to call your dental practice and schedule a visit. Many dentists are more than happy to offer same-day appointments for patients who are suffering from urgent oral health issues.
2. Leave the Tooth Alone
While you are waiting for your emergency appointment, it can be tempting to try and straighten out your tooth with your tongue. However, any sort of motion is likely to only worsen the issue even further. As such, the best thing you can do is leave the tooth alone and avoid making contact with it in any way.
3. Stay Away from Certain Foods
Sticky foods such as caramel, chewy foods such as raisins, and hard foods such as apples can cause serious problems for loose teeth. It is therefore best to avoid these types of foods entirely until you can be seen by a dental professional. Note that if you do eat something, you should chew on the opposite side of your mouth in order to keep the affected tooth safe.
4. Rinse with Warm Water
You shouldn’t brush or floss a loose tooth, but you still need to be able to keep it clean. To do so, you can rinse with warm water, which will help wash away any harmful bacteria or substances that might be near the loosened tooth.
5. Get the Treatment You Need
Once your dentist has had a chance to examine your loose tooth, they can help you determine the best steps to take to protect your oral health. In many cases, it may be possible to help the tooth reattach itself to the socket. If the issue was caused by an infection, a deep cleaning may be required. Whatever the underlying cause is, having the right treatment performed as soon as possible is of the utmost importance!
About the Author
Dr. Stephanie Flinchum went to the University of Kentucky for her dental degree, and she has made a point of keeping up with her education over the course of her career. She accepts same-day appointments for loose teeth and other dental emergencies. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Flinchum at My Dentist Midtown in Tulsa, visit her website or call (918) 949-4450.