My Adult Tooth Is Loose! What Should I Do?

For every child, an exciting milestone is when their teeth begin to become loose. However, this is not so exciting when you are an adult. You don’t have new teeth coming in to replace the ones you have now. There are all sorts of reasons for having loose teeth as an adult, including gum disease, tooth decay, and dental injuries. If you have a loose tooth, the most important thing you should do is act quickly. Continue reading to learn what steps you should take if you find yourself in this situation.

See Your Dentist

As soon as you realize that your tooth is loose, you should give your dentist a call and schedule an emergency visit. The longer you go with your loose tooth, the less likely your dentist will be able to save it. Do your best to receive treatment within 12 to 24 hours to maximize the probability of restoring your smile.

Avoid Wiggling Your Tooth

It is tempting, but not a good idea to wiggle your tooth with your tongue. If you play with it, you will only make the issue worse. Don’t chew with it or touch it too much either. Even if you think that you will need to have your tooth extracted in the end, you shouldn’t do so yourself. If you do, you’re only increasing your risk of developing an infection.

Clean the Area

You shouldn’t brush your wiggly tooth because you could accidentally loosen it even further. Instead, you should ensure the area is clean by gently rinsing your mouth with warm water. This will help to wash away food particles and control bacteria buildup in the mouth.

Eat with Care

Having a loose tooth doesn’t mean that you need to go hungry until you see the dentist. Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the affected tooth is. Instead of hard foods, stick to scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and other softer snacks.

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 any dirt and debris with water and place the tooth back into the socket. If you’re unable to keep it there, place it in your cheek or in a glass of milk. To give your dentist the best chance of saving and replanting your tooth, you should try to see them within an hour.

Whether you panic because of or try to ignore a loose tooth, you can use the information above to take control of the situation. By acting quickly, you will have the greatest chance of restoring your smile to health!

About the Practice

At East Islip Dental Care, there is a team of seven skilled dentists with countless talents and expertise. This way, patients are able to get pretty much anything they need at one convenient location. The practice is open seven days a week, and they are happy to schedule same-day or immediate appointments, as dental emergencies don’t always happen during typical working hours. If your tooth is loose, they’d be happy to take a look. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (631) 581-8600.