During childhood, everyone experiences baby teeth that become loose and fall out one by one. But once our permanent teeth come in, we hope they don’t go anywhere. Unfortunately, permanent teeth can also become loose and even fall out. It may feel terrifying if your permanent tooth is loose or falls out, but this issue is more common than you might anticipate.
Poor oral hygiene, large tooth decay, oral diseases, and trauma or injury can all lead you to the dentist’s office with a dislodged tooth. The first step you should take in this emergency is to call your dentist. However, if you have to wait for an appointment, you can do a few things.
- Act quickly: If your permanent tooth becomes loose or falls out, trying to get to the dentist within 30 minutes can increase its viability. It doesn’t matter if it’s been outside the mouth for over an hour; it may still be saved.
- Do not touch the root: If the tooth falls out, try not to touch the root. Only touch the chewing surface (crown).
- Rinse with water: Gently rinse any debris or dirt off the tooth. There is no need to use any kind of soap or cleaning agent. Also, don’t scrub it.
- Place it back into its habitat: If possible, put the tooth back where it goes. You can hold it by the crown and place it in the socket. Once it’s in, hold it there, or gently bite it down to keep it in place.
- Keep it moist: Whether it’s in your mouth or not, keep the tooth moist. This step can be done by placing it in milk or holding it inside your mouth, next to your cheek. Please don’t keep it in regular tap water.
Contact Dental office for Urgent Care
Whether your permanent tooth is loose or has fallen out completely, it requires immediate attention from a qualified dental professional. Contact Sima Family Dental today for any urgent dental assistance.