Loose teeth are a childhood rite of passage. Who can forget the excitement of waiting for the tooth fairy and showing off that gaping grin the next day? But when your tooth becomes loose as an adult, that joy is replaced with fear, and rightfully so. After all, once you get your adult teeth, you don’t get a backup set. So, what can you do if one of yours suddenly feels wiggly? Here are some important next steps.
Step One: Don’t Panic
There are many reasons your permanent tooth might feel loose suddenly. While some of them may be no cause for concern, others may require an emergency trip to the dentist. Thus, the first thing you should do if you notice any movement is to contact your dentist as soon as possible for further instructions.
Step Two: Be Careful
While you’re waiting to be seen by your dentist, take care of your loose tooth by doing (or not doing) the following:
- Don’t wiggle your tooth or play with it
- Do not eat anything extra chewy or crunchy
- Keep it clean, but do not brush it or floss it; instead brush and floss around it and rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution
Reasons for Loose Adult Teeth
There are many reasons why a permanent tooth may become loose. These include:
- Orthodontic treatment (this is temporary, and no reason to panic)
- Gum disease
- Accidental injury
- A medical condition such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, HIV, or cancer
- Pregnancy or menopause (usually temporary)
- Stress
Remember, while you may not initially know what is causing your tooth or teeth to become loose, it is still very important that you speak to your dentist to rule out any permanent dangers. Furthermore, just because your tooth is loose does not mean you will lose it, but failure to treat it could mean you also might. So be sure to act swiftly to improve your odds of a healthy outcome.
About Dr. Hansen
Dr. JD Hansen’s favorite part of being a dentist is working with his patients to help them feel more comfortable about caring for their oral health. His calm, patient and kind demeanor helps everyone around him feel relaxed, so that even an emergency trip to the dentist isn’t a scary situation.
To schedule an urgent appointment at White Peak Dental, please visit our website or call us today at 801-293-1234.