Most of us can remember what it feels like when a baby tooth becomes loose and wobbling the tooth with our tongue until it falls out and it’s time for a visit from the tooth fairy. Of course, it’s a very different matter when permanent teeth feel wobbly, but unfortunately, many people will experience permanent teeth becoming loose and even falling out.
Why Do Permanent Teeth Become Loose?
Permanent teeth can become loose because of various reasons, including poor oral hygiene, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease in Newcastle. Another reason is trauma or injury, where a permanent tooth is knocked out, an issue called an avulsed tooth. A permanent tooth can also become dislodged or partially avulsed.
It’s important to seek emergency dental care in Clarington as soon as possible if you have a tooth that is becoming loose, and especially if you knock out or partially knock out a tooth. When a tooth is knocked out or dislodged because of trauma, it is a dental emergency.
What to Do When a Tooth Becomes Loose?
If you are unlucky enough to knock out a tooth, there is a chance it can be saved if you act quickly. Ideally, you need to see a dentist in Courtice within the first half an hour after the accident. This significantly improves the chances of saving the tooth and successfully reimplanting it. However, if it is longer since you knocked out your tooth, then still see your dentist as soon as you can, just in case they can still save it.
After knocking out a tooth, the first thing you need to do is to retrieve it, taking care only to hold it by its crown as you shouldn’t touch the tooth root. Next, carefully rinse the tooth to get rid of any loose debris and dirt but don’t scrub it and especially don’t try to remove any loose pieces of tissue clinging onto the tooth root. Then, if you can, you can reinsert the tooth back into the socket, but you must make sure it faces the right way around. Once it is back in the socket, you need to hold it there with a finger or gently bite down on a clean tissue until you can see a dentist in Brooklin.
Understandably, not everyone feels able or can reinsert a knocked-out tooth. In this case, you need to keep the tooth moist. One way to do this is to hold it inside your cheek or otherwise store it in a little milk in a container. You shouldn’t use tap water as this can dry out the tooth. When you see our dentist at West Bowmanville Family Dental, we can quickly assess the situation and determine if there is a chance of saving a dislodged or knocked-out tooth.
Preventing Loose Teeth
Ideally, it is better to prevent loose teeth, and we can help ensure your teeth remain firmly in their sockets. Preventive dentistry is critically important and relatively straightforward. Make sure you see us twice a year or as often as recommended for checkups and hygiene appointments. We can monitor your oral health closely and, if needed, can provide more detailed information and advice to help you look after your teeth more effectively. In between visits, ensure your brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once a day.
If you are keen on playing sports and risk a dental injury, ask us about custom mouthguards. A custom mouthguard is comfortable to wear and can help prevent or reduce the severity of a dental injury. In addition, it is far more cost-effective than potentially dealing with the impact of tooth loss in Bowmanville.