Dislodged Tooth
Book an Emergency AppointmentIt’s not uncommon for an accident or trauma to knock a permanent tooth loose. Knowing what to do with a loose tooth is important if you hope to save it. To minimize the pain and achieve the best outcome for your smile, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Contact a dentist immediately. If the loose tooth is still in the socket, even partially, it’s important to put it in the correct position and press down until it’s level with the adjacent teeth. In the event of a completely dislodged tooth, rinse it with water but don’t scrub it, and try to replace it in the socket or submerge it in a cup of milk and head straight for the dentist.
Though you can help save loose teeth, it’s best to let a dentist fix a loose tooth. Even if you’re dealing with a slightly loose tooth after trauma or an accident, it’s important to consult a dentist in case there is damage you can’t see.
Treatment for a loose tooth can vary depending on the extent of injury. To repair the loose tooth, your dentist will clean and anesthetize the area before replacing the tooth and stabilizing it in the socket. Your dentist will also take x-rays to check the roots, nerves, and blood vessels for damage. It’s likely that you will require follow-up appointments and additional tests to monitor your tooth.
For children, loose treatment may be different than it is for a loose tooth in adults. Losing primary teeth, even due to trauma, may be less complicated. However, it’s important to see a dentist if your child has teeth knocked loose prematurely or due to an accident or trauma.
Loose tooth repair usually takes more than pushing the tooth back in place. It takes time and some help from your dentist. Most cases involve one of three loose tooth treatments:
1. Bonding the loose tooth to adjacent teeth with a composite resin material and wire.
2. Attaching an orthodontic bracket to all teeth involved and connecting them with a wire.
3. Applying synthetic cloth or metal mesh to the back of the affected tooth or teeth.
It is possible to heal a loose tooth with proper dental intervention. However, if you try to do it on your own, you risk losing your tooth and developing an infection at the site.
Your dentist will provide detailed instructions for your loose tooth treatment. Expect it to take at least 7 to 10 days to heal up enough before your dentist can determine if you need further treatment.
