When you’re little and one of your teeth starts to wiggle, this is a cause for celebration! It means that you’ll soon be visited by the tooth fairy, who will likely leave a gift to congratulate you. Unfortunately, if one of your permanent teeth is loose, there’s nothing to celebrate. From sporting accidents to poor oral hygiene, there are several reasons why one of your adult teeth may be loose. Read on to learn about four steps to follow if this ever happens to you.
Step #1: Contact Your Dentist
No matter how your tooth became loose, make sure to contact your dentist to make an appointment as soon as you notice it. Describe the situation to them over the phone so they can determine what the next steps should be. If they aren’t able to see you right away, they will help you schedule a time. Additionally, if you notice that your tooth is loose before or after hours, their voicemail may give you instructions on what to do next.
Step #2: Don’t Move It with Your Fingers or Tongue
When you were a kid and one of your teeth was loose, you may have found yourself wiggling it back and forth with your tongue or your finger. It’s important not to do this with one of your permanent teeth. Even if you’re only wiggling the tooth in an attempt to get it back into its socket, this may end up doing more harm than good. It’s best to wait until your dentist can look at it.
Step #3: Avoid Sticky, Chewy, or Hard Foods
Unless your dentist is able to see you immediately after you realize that your tooth is loose, you will likely have to eat sometime before your appointment. During this time, eat only soft foods and liquids, such as smooth soups, applesauce, yogurt, and oatmeal. Avoid consuming anything chewy, sticky, or hard, as these kinds of foods can cause irritation and may damage the tooth even further.
Step #4: Keep It Clean
Though you won’t be able to brush and floss your damaged tooth the way you usually would, you still need to keep the area clean to prevent bacteria from harming your smile. Take eight ounces of warm water and add half a teaspoon of table salt to it. Rinse with this mixture to reduce puffiness, disinfect the loose tooth, and relieve discomfort.
These steps will help you handle the situation if you have a loose tooth, but it’s best to avoid it in the first place by practicing good oral hygiene and wearing a mouthguard if you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night. This will keep your smile healthy and your teeth where they belong!
About the Practice
If you live in the New York area and have a loose tooth, Gramercy Dental Studio is here to help. They offer emergency dental services to treat damaged teeth and get things under control. They can also give you advice on how to avoid a situation like this in the future so you can save time and money on smile repairs. Visit Gramercy Dental Studio’s website or call their office at (212) 924-6890 for more information on their services or to set up an appointment.
