How To Botch A Loose Tooth Emergency
Posted on: 30 October 2015
As an adult, getting a loose tooth can become a panicked situation where you do all the wrong things. Botching a situation with a loose tooth could cause your tooth to be damaged or fall out permanently. Here are some things not to do when you have a loose tooth.
Let it Wait
You may be tempted to schedule an appointment with your regular dentist to treat a loose tooth. However, it's wise to visit an emergency dentistry clinic. The sooner you can get treatment for your loose tooth, the smaller chance there is that you'll lose the tooth or develop an infection underneath your loose gums.
Emergency dentists can provide same-day treatment and protection for your loose tooth, and then your regular dentist may want to follow up to make sure that the treatment is working.
Leave it Hanging
A loose teeth needs some protection while it's waiting for treatment. You can use dental wax, gauze and tape, or a mouth guard to splint the tooth in order to keep it from moving around and becoming looser. When creating a splint for your tooth, you simply create a bridge from your solid teeth over the loose one to hold the tooth in place.
Assume All Hope is Lost and Pull It
If your tooth spontaneously becomes loose, you may think it's a lost cause and be tempted to simply pull it or let it naturally fall out on its own time. However, many loose teeth can be saved with early treatment. For instance, some teeth become loose due to a simple gum infection, and treating the infection can help your gums become stronger and get a better hold on the tooth.
Continue On Without a Care
Once an emergency clinic has fixed your tooth, you may need to get follow up care to determine the cause of your loose tooth and the next steps to take. If your loose tooth is due to a contact injury, consider getting set up with a sports mouth guard for the future. If gum tissue infection was the cause, be sure to follow up with antibiotics and gum checkups to make sure that the tooth doesn't become loose again.
A loose adult tooth doesn't have to be the end of the world if you stay calm and follow these steps to protect it. Call an emergency dentistry clinic like Larchmont Dental Arts LLC right away to avoid damaging your tooth any further.
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