Although it’s normal for baby teeth to eventually become loose and fall out, once your adult teeth erupt from your gums, they’re intended to stay put. They play a critical role in your ability to eat, speak, and smile, so it’s imperative to take care of them correctly.
Unfortunately, if you’ve noticed that a permanent tooth feels loose or is wobbly in its socket, it’s time to contact your dentist for an emergency appointment. This is never a good thing and can point to more serious underlying issues that must be addressed immediately. Continue reading to learn more about why this sometimes happens and what you can do!
Why Does My Permanent Tooth Feel Loose?
There are several potential reasons for a destabilized tooth, but the leading cause is gum disease. The earliest form, gingivitis, can usually be stopped in its tracks. However, if it’s allowed to progress, your connective tissues start to recede from your teeth to escape the infection. This leaves your pearly whites without a strong enough foundation to remain firmly rooted in place.
It’s also possible that you suffer from bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, that can wear down your enamel prematurely, cause misalignments, or leave a tooth feeling loose. Other potential causes can include cavities, physical trauma, or hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause.
How Should I Handle My Loose Permanent Tooth?
It’s natural to panic if you’ve just realized you have a loose tooth, but take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves, then call your dentist. They’ll schedule you for an appropriate appointment time and share additional care instructions for you to follow until you arrive.
You can preserve your tooth while you wait for your appointment by:
- Watching what you eat. Avoid sticky, hard, sweet, or spicy foods that could push or yank it out of place or irritate any thinning enamel. Also, it’s best to try not to bite or chew anything on that side of your mouth.
- Keep it clean, but don’t brush and floss because you might accidentally remove it from its socket. Instead, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to eradicate germs while alleviating aches and inflammation.
- Don’t touch it. You may feel tempted to frequently check your tooth’s status by wiggling it with your tongue or a finger, but if you push too much, you might make matters worse!
Now that you know what to do for your loose tooth, you can keep it safely in place until you arrive for your scheduled visit!
About the Author
Dr. Ira Newman has 30+ years of experience helping people build and maintain their happiest, most beautiful smiles. He has trained extensively with the Dawson Center for Advanced Dentistry and the Spear Center for Clinical Excellence, so you can trust that your grin is in good hands. He takes the time to get to know your unique needs and then provides fully individualized treatment plans to address them. His friendly and welcoming practice is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for enhanced patient comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you have a loose adult tooth and need help, you can contact the office on the website or call (212) 924-6890.
