As a kid, having a loose tooth is exciting because it shows that you are "growing up" (and the money from the tooth fairy is a nice touch, too). As an adult it can be scary. If you are an adult with a loose tooth here's what you need to do.

Make an appointment to come see your dentist-right away. The first thing you need to do is realize that although there can be a number of causes for a loose tooth, all of them are something that need the attention of a dentist. For this reason, you need to call your dentist and come right in. Don't wait for your next scheduled visit; this could-depending on the reason-qualify as a dental emergency, and you need to go in right way.

Try to determine possible causes. In the meantime, you should consider the various causes and try to figure out if one of them may be your issue. If the loose tooth is a result of some facial trauma, you should be very careful with the tooth to avoid any further damage.

Another cause of a loose tooth is habitual clenching or grinding of your teeth. This may be something that you do in your sleep, and you may not even be aware of it. You should probably invest in a mouth guard to wear when you sleep, and take care when you are chewing food. For now, until you make it to your dentist's office for a visit, try to eat only soft foods to avoid putting any more strain on the tooth.

Other causes of loose teeth can include damage from gum disease, decay in the tooth, and other matters. Your dentist will take a look when you come in, and then work hard to get your smile happy and healthy again.

Please contact us if you have any questions about your loose tooth!