What To Do If Your Adult Tooth Comes Loose

When you’re a child, a wiggly tooth is exciting—it means the tooth fairy will be visiting soon. As an adult, however, a loose tooth is no cause for celebration. Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so if one becomes loose, it’s a sign that something is wrong and needs immediate attention.

Here’s what you should do to protect your tooth and oral health until you can see your dentist.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

First, take a deep breath. While a loose adult tooth is serious, it doesn’t always mean you’ll lose it. Examine your mouth in the mirror to see if there’s visible damage, swelling, or bleeding. Make note of any pain or sensitivity, as these details can help your dentist identify the cause.

Avoid Wiggling or Touching the Tooth

It can be tempting to test how loose the tooth is, but doing so can make matters worse. Repeated movement can damage the ligaments and tissues that hold the tooth in place, making it harder to save. Try to keep the tooth as stable as possible until your appointment.

Eat Soft Foods Only

If you need to eat before seeing your dentist, stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could loosen the tooth further. Soups, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and smoothies are good options until you get professional care.

Rinse with Warm Salt Water

A gentle rinse with warm salt water can help reduce bacteria and soothe gum irritation. Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds, and spit it out. Repeat up to twice a day until you see your dentist.

Contact an Emergency Dentist

If you’re in Alexandria or the surrounding area, call an emergency dentist right away. A loose adult tooth often signals underlying issues such as advanced gum disease, injury, or bone loss. Prompt care is essential to improving your chances of saving the tooth. In many cases, splinting—a process where the loose tooth is bonded to adjacent teeth—can help stabilize it while the underlying cause is treated.

Possible Causes of a Loose Adult Tooth

Loose teeth can result from several factors, including:

• Trauma from a fall, sports injury, or accident
• Advanced periodontal disease
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Bone loss due to aging or osteoporosis
• Poorly fitting dental restorations

Understanding the cause is key to developing an effective treatment plan, which is why a thorough dental exam is so important.

Taking quick, careful action when you notice a loose tooth can make the difference between saving it and losing it.

About the Practice

Martinez Dentistry proudly serves the Alexandria community, providing comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, including emergency dentistry for urgent situations like loose teeth. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Grewal are committed to delivering prompt, compassionate care to help patients restore their oral health – one tooth at a time.

Call us at (765) 724-7729 or request an appointment online.