As children, it’s common to lose your primary teeth. However, once your permanent teeth come in, having a loose tooth becomes a serious dental issue.
From impact injuries caused by contact sports to chronic issues like tooth grinding or periodontal disease, there are many reasons your tooth may become loose.
Healthy adult teeth should not be wiggling in the socket. So, if you have a loose tooth, you’ll want to take the appropriate steps to keep your tooth intact and get medical help from an emergency dentist like Dr. Brett Blacher right away.
Step 1: Schedule an Emergency Dentist Appointment ASAP
No matter the cause of your loose tooth, you should seek medical attention as soon as you can. It’s best to try to resolve a dental injury within 12 hours in order to maximize the chances of your tooth being saved.
Call an emergency dentist like Dr. Brett Blacher in Lombard, and schedule your appointment right away. Then, follow these next steps to ensure you minimize your pain and discomfort while preparing for your appointment.
Step 2: Don’t Play With Your Loose Tooth!
If you have a loose tooth, you may be tempted to hit it with you tongue, touch it, or otherwise move it around. This is a bad idea. By frequently touching the affected tooth and indirectly moving it around, you could cause further damage to the root, harm the gum tissue, increase bleeding, or even cause a part of your tooth to break off in your socket.
Don’t pick it. Don’t pull it. Don’t mess with it.
Step 3: Avoid Eating Soft (or Hard) Foods
It’s likely that you’ll have to eat while you have a loose tooth. This is okay, but try to avoid chewing with that particular tooth. You should also avoid eating gummy, soft foods like gummy candies because these can yank the afflicted tooth out of its socket.
Similarly, avoid crunchy or hard foods like apples, chips, or popcorn. Eating hard snacks can cause you to knock your tooth out of its socket, and crunchy food debris can become lodged underneath the loose tooth and cause serious pain.
Step 4: Keep It Clean
You’re not going to be able to brush or floss like you normally would, but that doesn’t mean you can’t clean the loose tooth before your appointment. The best way to remove food particles or blood that may still be present near the affected area is to rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, which will give you a quick wash while avoiding the manipulation of your loose tooth.
Step 5: Go to Your Appointment With Dr. Blacher
Dr. Brett Blacher specializes in family and cosmetic dentistry in Lombard. If you have an emergency dental injury like a loose tooth, he’s the ideal choice for you.
To fix your loose tooth, Dr. Blacher may recommend tooth splinting, replacement with an implant or a dental crown, or treatment for periodontal disease, depending on the cause of your ailment. He’ll also recommend options to prevent teeth from becoming loose again, such as an athletic mouthguard or a better oral-care regimen.
With flexible hours, a patient-centered environment, and a friendly attitude, the office of Brett Blacher, DDS is the best emergency dentistry provider in the region!
Don’t suffer from a loose tooth in Lombard. Call the office of Brett Blacher, DDs at (630) 916-0701 to schedule an emergency appointment, or come to our facilities, located at 450 E. 22nd St., Suite 201, Lombard, IL, 60148.
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