Loose teeth are common in children. However, adults are also prone to loose teeth. There are several reasons why you could have a loose tooth, such as an injury from a slip and fall, from playing a contact sport, gum disease, or osteoporosis.
Regardless of how you got a loose tooth, you need to get help immediately. This will allow your dentist to not only save the tooth but also prevent any further complications. Here is what you should do if you have a loose tooth.
Visit the Dentist
When you first notice you have a loose tooth, schedule an emergency dental appointment. You should not take a loose tooth lightly. Instead, give it the urgency it deserves by consulting with your dentist. Seek treatment within the first 24 hours so that the dentist can try to save your tooth and reduce any discomfort you may be experiencing.
Avoid Sticky or Hard Foods
It is important to avoid any sticky candy or any hard foods. These foods could pull out the tooth completely. Therefore, until you have your visit with your dentist, stick to soft foods and avoid any hard or sticky foods.
Avoid Brushing Your Teeth
It might seem unreasonable to avoid brushing your teeth, but it is vital. Brushing your teeth could cause the tooth to loosen even further. Thus, it is best to avoid brushing or flossing. However, you still need to keep your mouth clean. You can do this by swishing with warm, salty water.
Avoid Playing With The Tooth
It may be tempting to keep touching or playing with your loose tooth. However, resist the urge to do so. Touching the tooth, playing with it, or even attempting to straighten it is only going to make the tooth even looser. You could also accidentally pull out the tooth.
Once you make it to your emergency dental appointment, your dentist may recommend a tooth splint. A tooth splint is the most common method of dealing with a loose tooth. The dentist will attach a splint to your loose tooth, which stays in place until your tooth ligaments strengthen and reattach.
Lakewood Dental Arts, 5555 Del Amo Blvd, Lakewood, CA 90713-2307, (562) 384-1091, lakewooddentalarts.com, 11/29/2024, Page Phrases: dentist Lakewood CA,
Loose teeth are common in children. However, adults are also prone to loose teeth. There are several reasons why you could have a loose tooth, such as an injury from a slip and fall, from playing a contact sport, gum disease, or osteoporosis.