Caring For A Loose Tooth: Three Things To Consider
Posted on: 17 January 2017
When children have a loose tooth, there isn't always a great cause for concern, but having a permanent tooth become loose can be more serious. To save your tooth and make sure your teeth and gums are cared for, you'll want to visit an emergency dentist at a dental office like Northwest Dental Services and Implant Center and take the proper precautions to preserve the tooth. Here are just a few things to consider if one of your teeth becomes loose.
Consider The Cause
If a tooth becomes loose due to a trauma, such as a sports injury or car accident, you'll want to see your dentist right away. There may be damage to the gum surrounding the tooth, or there may be other issues other than having the tooth come loose. This will sometimes require immediate care. If, on the other hand, the loose tooth is the result of grinding your teeth at night, you may be able to wait to schedule your dentist appointment.
Care For The Tooth
There may be a few things you can do to care for the tooth before visiting the dentist. When you call to check your dentist's availability, ask if there is anything you should do before you come in. Your dentist may tell you to avoid eating or drinking anything before your visit. If the tooth is loose due to trauma, he or she may have other first aid steps you can take to stop any bleeding or preserve the area around the tooth. For issues with grinding your teeth, your dentist may recommend wearing a mouth guard at night to protect your teeth.
Remain Calm
One important thing to remember, no matter what the issue is with your tooth, is to remain calm. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the problem and help you to select the right course of treatment. Just because your tooth is loose does not mean you will lose it. There are several options that can help, including tooth splints, to keep the tooth in place. If it looks like you will lose the tooth, you can rest easy knowing there are many cosmetic dental procedures that can help to preserve your smile. Talk to your dentist about any anxiety you may have about having dental work done, as he or she may be able to provide different pain treatment and anesthesia options to help you stay calm.
Be sure to keep the number of your emergency dentist stored in your smartphone or in your wallet so you always know who to call in the event of a dental emergency.
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