A Quick Guide on How to Handle Having a Loose Adult Tooth

You might be minding your own business when suddenly, you realize that one of your pearly whites feels a little wiggly – and discovering that one of your adult teeth is loose can be quite alarming! Unlike baby teeth, adult teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so any unexpected movement could indicate an underlying issue that needs immediate dental attention. Here’s what you need to know about tooth looseness and the first steps you should take if you’ve discovered one of your permanent teeth is suddenly loose.

What Causes Adult Teeth to Become Loose?

A loose tooth can result from various factors, including:

• Physical trauma or injury, such as a blow to the mouth or bad fall, has caused the tooth to loosen.
• Gum disease has progressed and weakened the surrounding tissues that support your teeth and hold them in place.
• Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, has placed excessive strain on the teeth and shifted one or more of them out of place.
• Severe tooth decay or an infection has affected the bone and tissues holding the tooth in place.

What Should I Do If I Have a Loose Tooth?

It may be tempting to test the tooth’s looseness, but excessive movement can make things worse, meaning you should absolutely avoid touching or wiggling the tooth. To help keep it stable, you can gently bite down on a soft cloth or piece of gauze. Likewise, avoid eating if possible, or if you must eat, don’t chew on the side of the mouth with the loose tooth, and stick to only eating soft foods.

You should also schedule an emergency dental appointment as soon as you’ve noticed that you have a loose tooth – this is a serious situation that should not be taken lightly! Getting to your dentist within 12 to 24 hours will maximize the chance that they’ll be able to save your tooth and minimize any discomfort.

Once you’ve made it there, they’ll be able to assess the situation and determine the best course of treatment, which may include splinting the tooth to stabilize it, addressing gum disease or an advanced tooth infection, or even providing you with a mouthguard to help prevent bruxism. At the end of the day, your adult teeth are far too valuable to be loose or even lost altogether, so act quickly and turn things over to your dentist!

About the Practice

Our team here at Lacquaniti Dental has served the dental needs of patients and families in Mt Dora for several years, offering a wide range of services including same-day emergency dentistry for those with urgent needs. We also offer a wide variety of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments. If you have any questions about the blog or you need to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out today for assistance. Telephone: (352) 383-8121.