Having a loose tooth or teeth is cause for concern, except when they are milk teeth paving the way for the permanent teeth about to sprout. Loose teeth often start with a minor wiggle. Usually, children push a loose tooth using their tongue or finger so it loosens more. Nonetheless, teeth sometimes stay put even if they are loose.
This is thanks to the solid root structure supporting them. In this case, the question becomes whether pulling out the tooth would be the ideal thing to do and when the pulling out should occur. This blog explains this concern in detail.
Why Teeth Wiggle
Loose milk teeth generally mean permanent ones are developing right behind them. As permanent teeth occupy the roots, the milk teeth loosen, dissolve, and fall off. However, wiggling teeth does not always mean permanent ones are coming through. Your baby's tooth or teeth might also wiggle if the child faces injury or a fall.
Generally, children lose their baby teeth in the very order they appear. Front teeth often fall out first when a baby reaches six or seven years. If the child is losing the teeth out of order or the timing appears to be off, consult your pedodontist.
To Pull or Not to Pull
Pulling a loose tooth by yourself is often a bad idea. Pulling a loosened tooth may cause bone parts to remain in the tooth socket. Additionally, it can injure the root tissue. Pulling out a loose tooth may also lead to you developing an infection. Often, loose teeth will fall off by themselves without any kind of pain. However, it will be wise to pull out a loosened tooth in some cases.
Pulling Out Baby Teeth
Most parents wonder whether they should remove their minor's loose tooth. Pulling or not pulling depends on various factors. If your young one is among those children who do not want you to go anywhere near their face, mouth, or teeth, leave the tooth be. Eventually, the loose tooth will fall off. Contrarily, touch the loose tooth gently if the minor wants your assistance. Avoid tugging it if it is barely wiggled or the minor feels pain. In either of these cases, it means the roots are still holding the tooth and are not yet ready for removal.
If the tooth wiggles significantly, wrap it with a tissue, then squeeze it. The tooth should fall off from its socket easily. A dental professional can also extract an extremely loose milk tooth.
However, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, here is the ideal scenario: Motivate your minor to jiggle their loose tooth with their tongue or fingertips until it falls off. The minor will experience less bleeding and pain.
The bottom line is that you should only pull out a loose milk tooth if it is extremely loosened. If the milk tooth hangs loosely in its socket, removing it makes sense. That way, the child will not be subject to the danger of swallowing the tooth once it falls off by itself. Ensure the child does not experience pain when you apply pressure to the loose tooth. If the child experiences pain, the tooth roots are yet to dissolve properly, preventing the tooth from being safely pulled out.
Pulling Out a Permanent Tooth
Do not try to pull out a permanent tooth by yourself. No other tooth is behind the loose permanent tooth. Should you pull out a loose permanent tooth by yourself, you risk experiencing extreme pain. Additionally, a gap will remain in your oral cavity that a dentist must address. A dentist will only extract a permanent tooth when it is wholly loose, or you are feeling extreme pain and no other options exist.
Various factors can lead to a tooth loosening and requiring emergency dental treatment. These factors may include the following:
- Tooth decay: dental caries can damage the structure of a tooth to the extent that it loosens. This is usually true when dental decay is not treated.
- Trauma to the jaw: Your tooth may loosen due to a blow to the mouth that virtually knocks it off its socket. The blow may be because of hard contact when playing a sport, an accident, or a fall.
- Gum disease: This arises when the gum tissues in the mouth become infected. It damages the gum and bone structures that anchor the teeth in position, eventually resulting in teeth loosening and falling off if not treated.
- Grinding in teeth: frequent and prolonged teeth grinding can stretch periodontal ligaments, loosening their attachment to a tooth.
- Chewing on hard objects: Chewing on hard items stresses the tooth, making it feel loose. The hard object may also injure the tooth, loosening it.
Even though saving a tooth is always preferable, pulling out an infected, diseased, or cracked tooth will help protect the remaining teeth. See your dental professional if your loosened tooth causes extreme pain and requires removal immediately.
If the tooth has loosened due to periodontal disease, the dental professional may recommend other treatment options to address the condition. Treatments the dentist may use to recruit a loose tooth due to periodontal disease include the following:
- Deep cleaning: Otherwise called root planing and scaling, the dentist can perform this treatment before stabilizing your tooth using a splint. The deep cleaning procedure entails removing plaque and tartar from gum pockets, tooth roots, and the teeth.
- Medicinal mouthwashes and rinses: the dentist can use prescription mouthwashes and rinses to manage periodontitis, enabling the structures around the loose tooth to repair themselves
- Surgery: if your tooth loosened due to serious damage to your bone tissues or gum, a dentist may suggest surgical treatment to rebuild the damaged bone structure.
- Bone grafts or soft tissue: The dentist can repair a tooth that has become loose because of damaged bone tissues or gum in the mouth by conducting tissue grafts.
Do Not Pull or Have the Dentist Pull the Tooth If In Doubt
People are often surprised to know that loose permanent teeth usually tighten themselves. Therefore, do not presume a dentist must pull out your loose tooth. Pulling a permanent tooth will possibly damage the adjacent teeth. Your ideal move is to consult your dental professional, have them analyze the tooth, and follow their expert advice. The dental professional will likely tell you to wait and see if the tooth tightens or is slightly loose. However, removing the tooth may be ideal if it continues to loosen as days go by. You can then have the dentist replace it using an implant or a relevant dental health solution.
Tips to Pull Out a Loose Tooth Painlessly
Here are some tips to assist you in pulling out a loose tooth without experiencing pain.
Gauze or Wet Washcloth
Use a medical gauze or wet washcloth to hold and pull out a loosened tooth. If the tooth has not loosened enough for you to pull it out painlessly, wiggle it slightly while gripping it with the wet washcloth or gauze. This will assist the loosened tooth in coming out easily and stopping any present bleeding.
Floss and Brush Vigorously
Strenuous flossing and brushing will help pull out a loosened tooth painlessly. Brushing in up-and-down motions that rub every side of the loose tooth will cause it to fall off. Curving the dental floss around the loosened tooth at its bottom will also make it fall off.
Continue to Wiggle the Tooth
Wiggling the loose tooth forth and back with your tongue or clean tongue will assist in loosening it. Eventually, the tooth will fall off by itself.
Twist and Pull the Tooth Gently
Should you note that the tooth still hangs even after the wiggling, twist it gently but firmly, and then pull it out. Ensure you utilize clean gauze or fingers to twist and pull the tooth.
Eat Crunchy Foods
If the tooth is loose enough to almost fall off, eating a sticky or crunchy snack may be the way out. Carrots and apples are excellent healthy options. However, if the child is afraid and requires a little encouragement, opt for sweet treats such as a popsicle (which would also assist in reducing inflammation and pain) or a sticky tooth trap such as chewy candy. Monitor the child to ensure they do not swallow or bite down on the tooth.
See Your Dental Professional
If the loose tooth will not fall off easily and has started causing problems like discomfort, severe pain, excessive bleeding, or swelling, visit your dentist to have it removed.
Pulling out a loosened tooth before it reaches a point where it can fall off by itself can tamper with the root. This will leave a gap susceptible to plaque buildup and infection. However, if the tooth is loose enough to pull, follow the above tips.
General Factors for When to Pull and Not to Pull a Loosened Tooth
Various telltale indications may help you pull out a loosened tooth without much difficulty.
The Tooth Is Hanging by a Thread
The clearest sign that it is the moment to pull out a loosened tooth is if its root barely supports it. If your minor can wiggle the tooth using their finger or tongue and it is causing discomfort, it is likely the moment to pull it out. This kind of tooth is more likely to fall off naturally soon. By helping your child along, you can prevent unintentional swallowing and reduce pain.
Obstructing Permanent Tooth Development
Sometimes, a milk tooth may refuse to move, even if the permanent tooth is coming through. In this case, it is wise to consult your pedodontist. They might recommend removing the milk tooth to stop it from impacting the growth or positioning of the adult tooth.
Abscess or Infection
If the loose tooth exhibits infection signs, including swelling, pain, redness, and pus-filled pockets, you should have it removed immediately. Dental infections may spread and lead to more severe health problems if not treated.
When to Avoid Pulling a Loosened Tooth
Likewise, some signs can tell you it is not time to remove a loose tooth. If you pull a loose tooth out too early, it can result in complications. Milk teeth are natural placeholders for permanent teeth. Premature pulling out can lead to spacing problems, misalignment, and crowding as the adjacent teeth move to occupy the gap. Some signs to tell whether a tooth is not ready for removal are:
Intricate Cases
Some loosened teeth are often more complicated than others. This is especially so when they are positioned unusually or have multiple roots. You want to consult a pediatric dentist to assess the case and establish the right action in such cases.
Anxiety or Fear
Your child's emotional health is critical. If they are fearful or anxious about pulling out their tooth, you want to wait until they are more comfortable. Alternatively, consult a pedodontist to provide a supportive and calm environment.
Resisting Pressure
When the tooth does not move easily during wiggling, it is a sign it is not ready for removal. Forcibly removing it can lead to possible damage to tissues and unnecessary pain.
Pulling your child's loosened tooth is a memorable milestone in their growth and development journey. However, knowing when to intervene and when not to is essential. A gentle approach and proper timing will ensure the child has a positive and painless experience. It will also assist in maintaining their dental health as permanent teeth grow. Remember that every little one is unique. Therefore, trust your judgment and seek professional advice when necessary.
Find a Skilled General Dentist Near Me
Sometimes, you cannot avoid a loose tooth. In children, milk teeth loosen at some point, preparing to fall off and usher in permanent teeth. For adults, a tooth may loosen for several reasons. In these two cases, the guidance of a professional dentist may be necessary.
At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we pride ourselves on offering the best dental services in Encino, CA. We will provide you or your child with helpful tips to best address the loose tooth situation. Whether you have a child losing teeth and finding the process difficult or you have a problematic permanent loose tooth, we can help. Call us at 818-751-5100 for a consultation, advice, and to learn more.
