It’s perfectly normal for teeth to become loose—but only if they are a child’s first set. If you’re an adult, a loose tooth can be quite alarming. There are several possible causes of this in adults. In some cases, a loose tooth can tighten back up. However, it’s always best to seek professional dental care, as it may require treatment. Furthermore, if the tooth is quite loose (such as from an injury to the face), this should be treated as an emergency that requires a quick visit to the dentist. The treatment for this depends on the cause of the problem.
Sports, falls, and car accidents are all common causes of injuries to the jaw and face. If you’ve sustained facial trauma, you should see your dentist immediately. Your dentist will evaluate the area for bone, soft tissue, and nerve damage, which can occur along with the loosening of the tooth. Any needed treatments will be performed. Then, if the tooth is only slightly loose, it may be left alone to tighten up on its own. Avoid chewing on it while it heals, and let your dentist know right away if it appears to become worse. If this is the case, it may need to be splinted. Your dentist will use the adjacent tooth to act as an anchor to hold it in place while the area heals. Be very careful to avoid chewing on it until your dentist determines it’s fully healed.
Gum disease is one of the most common causes of the loosening and eventual loss of teeth. If your tooth suddenly becomes loose, however, you shouldn’t automatically assume that you will lose it. It may be possible to salvage it—and your gum health—but you will need to get to a dentist as soon as possible. They can perform a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing.
You will need to commit to following good oral hygiene practices to prevent the infection from returning and allowing your mouth to heal.
A loose tooth requires prompt attention from a qualified dentist. If you’ve developed a loose tooth—or any other dental emergency—you can get in touch with the friendly team at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry. Although we’re known for our expertise in cosmetic dental services, Dr. Nick and Dr. Elliot also provide emergency dental care.
It’s our priority to ease our patients’ pain as quickly as possible, and then to address the underlying cause of the problem. Call our office in Huntington, Long Island, and let us know you’re headed our way for an emergency appointment.
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