It is normal for a baby tooth (primary tooth)
to become loose when it is ready to come out. If a baby tooth becomes loose
after a minor injury, it will often feel tight again within a few days. Teeth
that are slightly loose usually heal well in 1 to 2 weeks. Have your child eat
soft foods such as:
- Milk and dairy products, such as milk shakes,
yogurt, custards, ice cream, sherbets, or cottage cheese.
- Meat and
meat substitutes, such as tender meats or chicken, tuna, eggs, or smooth peanut
butter.
- Fruits and vegetables, such as well-cooked or canned fruits
and vegetables; well-ripened, easy-to-chew fruits; and baked, mashed, or
well-cooked sweet potatoes.
A very loose tooth in a baby or young child could be swallowed. If
this occurs, it does not usually cause a problem. The tooth will most often
pass through the digestive tract and come out in the toilet. Choking can occur
if the child accidentally inhales the tooth instead of swallowing it. Removing
the tooth before it falls out can prevent the child from either swallowing or
inhaling it.
A baby tooth that has been jammed into the gum (intruded) will
usually grow out of the gum in about 6 weeks. However, some dentists will
reposition or remove the baby tooth immediately so that it will not affect the
top (crown) of the permanent tooth underneath it.
A loose permanent tooth can cause problems. A
permanent tooth that has become very loose after an injury needs to be
evaluated by a dentist to prevent tooth loss and help the tooth heal. If a
tooth becomes loose because of
grinding the teeth, the grinding problem can be
treated by a dentist to prevent additional injury.
If a permanent tooth has moved after an injury, a dentist will need
to put it back into the correct position. This should be done as soon as
possible to save the tooth and promote healing. If a tooth has been jammed into
the gum (intruded), it may look like it has been knocked out. An X-ray may be
needed to tell the difference. A permanent tooth that has been jammed into the
gum generally requires treatment.
