Your teeth should feel firm and sturdy in your mouth. Although they may give slightly if you apply pressure, any movement should be extremely subtle. But what if you find that one of your permanent teeth is noticeably loose? You should contact your emergency dentist in Woodbridge for assistance! You should also take steps to prevent your tooth from becoming even looser. This blog post provides more details on how you can handle the situation.
What Can Cause a Loose Permanent Tooth?
There are several possible reasons why your permanent tooth may feel loose:
- Gum disease: Advanced periodontal disease can weaken the bone and tissues that help hold your teeth in place.
- Trauma: A blow to the mouth, a fall, or biting into something hard can damage the ligaments or bone surrounding the tooth.
- Bruxism: Chronic teeth grinding or clenching can put excessive pressure on your teeth and lead to loosening over time.
- Tooth decay: Severe decay can erode the supporting structures and compromise the stability of a tooth.
Prevent the Tooth from Becoming Looser
While you wait for your emergency dental appointment, you should take steps to protect the loose tooth from additional harm. You should:
- Refrain from wiggling, touching, or biting down on the affected tooth.
- Eat soft foods and avoid anything hard, crunchy, or sticky that could stress the tooth.
- Maintain good oral hygiene by gently brushing and flossing, taking care not to disturb the loose tooth.
- Skip chewing gum and do not use your teeth as tools to open packages or hold items.
- If the tooth feels especially vulnerable, use a mouthguard to protect it while you sleep.
How Your Dentist Can Help
The first thing your dentist will do is evaluate the tooth and determine why it is loose. After they gather adequate information, they can recommend your next steps. Depending on the situation, one of the following treatments may be suitable:
- Splinting: Your dentist may use a dental splint to temporarily stabilize the tooth and allow the supporting tissues to heal.
- Treatment for gum disease: A deep cleaning of your mouth, known as scaling and root planing, may be able to get rid of your gum infection and allow your mouth to heal.
- Restorative procedures: If decay or trauma has caused the problem, fillings, crowns, or other restorations may be necessary.
- Nightguard: If teeth grinding is a factor, a custom nightguard can protect your teeth from excessive forces.
- Extraction: If the damage to the tooth or its supporting structures is too severe, it may be best to completely remove it. After your oral tissues heal, you may be eligible for a dental implant or another form of tooth replacement.
Do not ignore a loose permanent tooth! Instead, take prompt action to minimize the damage to your oral health.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has been serving local families for decades. We offer top-quality care in a welcoming environment, and we are often able to accept emergency cases on a same-day basis. If you are concerned about a loose permanent tooth or other troublesome symptoms, reach out to our Woodbridge location at 203-409-2535.