If you have a loose permanent tooth or teeth, see your dentist as soon as possible. You should not try to pull an adult (permanent) tooth on your own as it could lead to infection or other issues.
While it may be healthy to gently remove a baby tooth that is already loose, you should never attempt it for an adult tooth. Unlike baby teeth, adult teeth aren’t supposed to get loose and fall out. A loose permanent tooth may indicate an oral condition that requires treatment.
Adult teeth can loosen due to a more severe form of gum disease. Here are symptoms of gum disease to observe:
- Receding gums
- Bad breath
- Gaps between teeth
- Red, tender, swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily and feel tender
How your dentist will deal with loose teeth
When you go to Brookshire Smile Dental for a loose tooth or teeth, the dentist will examine your mouth and then take some x-rays to fully understand what is going on with your teeth. If a root canal or crown cannot save the tooth or teeth, then the dentist will numb the area so that there will be no pain when the tooth or teeth are extracted. At most times, the dentist will always try to save a permanent tooth first before deciding to pull it.
Types of extractions
There are two types of extractions:
- Simple extraction in which the area is numbed with an injection and the tooth is extracted
- This type of extraction is adopted when the tooth or teeth are impacted, or a tooth has broken off at the gum line; this type of removal will use general anesthesia in which the patient is put to sleep
If it is feasible to save your teeth, the dentist will use that option before extraction, but it is sometimes necessary to provide you with better oral health. To schedule an appointment for tooth extraction, call at 281-934-1010.