Have a Loose Tooth as an Adult? Here’s What to Do

Having a loose tooth as an adult is always bad news. Whether it’s possible to save the tooth or it needs to be replaced with a bridge or dental implant, you need to act fast if you want to protect your oral health. To make sure you’re prepared for the worst-case scenario, here is a summary of what you need to do if you ever find yourself with a loose permanent tooth.

Always Call Your Dentist Right Away

Your first step for dealing with any kind of dental problem should be to get in touch with your dentist to schedule an appointment. This is especially true if you have a loose tooth; you’ll have the best possible chance of keeping your smile intact if the issue is treated within a day. When you call your dentist, make sure to explain exactly what happened, and follow any first-aid instructions you’re given.

Do Not Touch the Tooth in Question

If your tooth has ended up in an odd position, it may be tempting to try and straighten it. However, you should avoid moving the tooth as much as you can; otherwise, you may end up loosening it further.

Even if you think the tooth is beyond saving and will need to be removed, you should still leave it alone. Removing a tooth on your own can be very painful and could possibly lead to an infection.

Be Careful While Eating

If you’re hungry before your appointment and need to eat, stay away from any type of food that might make the problem worse. Specifically, do not eat anything sticky (such as taffy), chewy (such as raisins), or hard (such as apples). And of course, you should never attempt to chew with a loose tooth; make sure your food stays on the opposite side of your mouth.

Take the Right Steps to Keep the Tooth Clean

You shouldn’t brush or floss a loose tooth since that would involve touching it. However, it’s still important to keep the tooth as clean as possible. The safest way to do that without loosening it further is to swish warm water around in your mouth.

Get the Care You Need

Your dentist can help you determine the best way to handle a loose tooth. In many cases, there will be steps you can take to save it, such as wearing a dental splint. If it turns out that the tooth needs to be removed, you should start considering your options for replacing it.

About the Practice

At Whitinsville Family Dentistry, our team includes multiple dentists who are all proud to stand by their work and make a point of listening carefully to the needs of their patients. We aim to provide quality dentistry while maintaining an atmosphere where you can stay truly relaxed. If you need to have a loose tooth extracted, we can use dental implants to restore your smile. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (508) 234-8107.