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How To Handle A Loose Tooth – What You Need To Know!

Loose teeth are one of the most common dental emergencies. Sometimes, loose teeth in adults are caused by traumatic impact injuries, such as a slip and fall or a hard hit while playing contact sports. However, they may also be caused by periodontal disease or tooth decay.

If you have a loose tooth, you need to get help right away, and take the proper precautions to ensure that you do not lose your tooth. Here’s a quick guide on how to handle a loose tooth, from Crossroads Family Dentistry.

Schedule An Emergency Dental Appointment

As soon as you notice that you have a loose tooth, you must schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist in Oklahoma City, like Crossroads Family Dentistry. A loose tooth is a serious dental emergency, and it should not be taken lightly.

In most cases, you should try to get treatment within 12-24 hours. This will maximize the chance that your dentist will be able to save your tooth, and help you minimize pain and discomfort.

Keep Your Tooth In Place – And Avoid Playing With It!

Try to avoid touching your tooth as much as possible. This means you should not push it around with your tongue, attempt to straighten it out, or use any kind of temporary dental splint. Doing so will just make things worse.

Do your best to avoid touching your loose tooth. Any kind of motion will usually just make things worse. And, even if you think your tooth will have to be pulled, you should never do so yourself. Attempting to will increase the risk of infection from improper tooth extraction. It will also be painful.

Avoid Sticky, Chewy Or Hard Foods

You might get hungry, and may want to eat a meal before you’re able to see your emergency dentist. If you do eat with a loose tooth, try to avoid chewing food on that side of your mouth.

You should also avoid eating sticky foods like taffy or candy, chewy foods like raisins, and hard foods like apples and nuts.

Keep It Clean – But Avoid Brushing And Flossing

You don’t want to brush your loose tooth, because this can loosen it even further. However, you can clean your mouth by swishing around some warm water. This will remove particles from the loosened tooth, and help reduce bacterial buildup.

Get To The Dentist – And Get Your Treatment!

Teeth that are loose because of an impact injury are usually treated with a dental splint. Dental splints attach to the adjacent teeth surrounding a loose tooth, allowing it to be held in place until the root heals, and it re-attaches permanently to the socket. However, tooth extraction is sometimes required for teeth that are seriously damaged, or beyond repair.

Loose teeth that are caused by periodontal disease are usually treated with a deep cleaning. Deep cleanings remove plaque and tartar, reducing gum inflammation caused by gum disease. Additional gum surgery may be required for loose teeth in severe cases of periodontitis.

As long as you get the proper emergency dental treatment in time, and follow all of our above advice, you should be able to save your tooth!

Come To Crossroads Family Dentistry For All Of Your Dental Emergencies!

With flexible hours, the best emergency dentist in Oklahoma City, and a caring, patient-focused approach to dentistry, Crossroads Family Dentistry is a great choice.

Dr. Dais, Dr. Underwood, and Dr. Faulconer are always ready to help patients with emergencies. We can also schedule appointments in off-hours so that you always get the care you need.

From dental splinting to periodontal disease treatment, we’re the best choice for emergency dental care in Oklahoma City. Contact us now at (405) 631-0322, or come to our office at 8101 South Walker, Suite D, Oklahoma City, OK 73139 for an emergency appointment.

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