Loose Adult Tooth? Here’s What to Do Next!

Having a loose or wiggly tooth when you’re a kid is an important right of passage, and a visible sign that your permanent smile is growing on schedule. Unfortunately, however, the experience isn’t as pleasant (or welcome) as an adult. Here’s what you should do if your permanent tooth has become loose, and how your emergency dentist in Beaver Dam can help!

Call An Emergency Dentist

No matter the reason your tooth may be loose, treating it should always begin by calling an emergency dentist near me as soon as possible. Even if the practice has online scheduling or a handy appointment request form, don’t lose time waiting for a response. Instead, call them directly and explain what’s going on, so they can instruct you on how to care for the tooth and bring you in for treatment as soon as possible.

Be Careful with Your Tooth

Before your emergency appointment, be sure to follow the instructions provided by your emergency dentist on the phone, as well as the guidelines below:

• Never wiggle or play with your loose tooth. Try to avoid touching it with your fingers and tongue.
• If you must eat before your appointment, choose only soft foods (nothing hard or crunchy), and try to avoid chewing with the loose tooth.
• If you need to clean your teeth, brush and floss around the loose tooth but do not touch it with the brush or floss, or you can gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater instead.

Reasons Your Tooth May Be Loose

Permanent teeth are supposed to remain securely in place in your jaw for a lifetime, but accidents and other problems sometimes occur. Common reasons they may come loose include:

• Orthodontic treatment: Sometimes, when your teeth are shifting due to wearing aligners or braces, they can feel a little loose. Thankfully, this is a completely normal side-effect of orthodontic treatment and will cause no permanent tooth loss or damage. It also should not require an emergency dental visit, but call your dentist or orthodontist just to be safe.
• Gum disease: This bacterial infection can damage the ligaments that hold the teeth in place in your jaw, causing them to come loose.
• Accidental injury: Impact to the mouth from sports, falls, and other accidents can knock teeth out.
• Medical conditions: Tooth loss can sometimes occur in patients with medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, HIV, and cancer.
• Hormones:  People who are pregnant or going through menopause can experience loose teeth due to hormonal shifts. Thankfully, these are usually temporary and should not cause permanent damage, but please let your emergency dentist know, as they may still want to evaluate your smile.
• Stress: This can manifest in many ways, including hormonal shifts and even unconscious behaviors like teeth grinding, which can break or loosen teeth. If this applies to you, talk to your dentist about getting a night guard made to protect your smile from stress when you’re not awake.

Remember, although there are no guarantees it can be spared, a loose permanent tooth is a dental emergency, and one that shouldn’t wait to get treatment if you want to attempt to save it. So, don’t waste precious time and contact your emergency dentist in Waupun as soon as you can!

About Our Practice

At Dentistry of Wisconsin, our trio of talented and compassionate dentists are here to help protect your smile during a dental emergency – and any other time, too! If you are experiencing a loose permanent tooth or other oral health issue, don’t wait until your regular checkup to get help, call us today at 920-324-3881 in Waupun or 920-887-2112.