When To See an Emergency Pediatric Dentist for Loose Teeth

Every child will deal with loose teeth. However, there are times when teeth that are supposed to be stable become loose. An emergency pediatric dentist can provide treatments that either restore these teeth or prevent them from affecting jaw and smile development. Here is a parent’s guide on when to see an emergency dentist about an unexpectedly loose tooth.

When is a loose tooth a dental emergency?

Temporary teeth, more commonly known as baby teeth, are designed to fall out so permanent adult teeth can grow in. According to the Mayo Clinic, this process starts at about age six. Temporary teeth that are loose before any accident or injury may still be a dental emergency if the following conditions apply:

• There are signs of advanced gum disease. Gum recession, pus leaking from the gums, and gums that appear swollen and dark red or purple.
• The tooth is causing excruciating pain. Tooth decay and infection may be the culprit.
• The tooth was knocked loose. Such as due to a fall or sports injury.

It is never normal for permanent teeth to become loose. Thus, it is recommended that parents bring their children to an emergency pediatric dentist if the above conditions apply, regardless of whether the tooth is temporary or permanent.

How an emergency pediatric dentist can help

An emergency pediatric dentist can address and restore prematurely or otherwise unexpectedly loose teeth in children. Here is what parents can expect from these dental professionals.

Identifying the cause

The first step is always to determine what is causing the tooth to be loose. If the tooth was dislodged while playing sports or the child fell down or tripped, the dentist will assess the damage to the tooth as a whole. This assessment involves examining the tooth root to help determine the right treatment. Otherwise, the dentist will look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease and go from there.

Treating the tooth

An emergency pediatric dentist will recommend treatments based on the cause of the loose tooth, such as:

Dental trauma

For cases related to dental trauma, they may recommend splinting the tooth so that its roots can reattach to the gums and ligaments. This process is known as tooth stabilization.

Gum disease

Loose teeth with symptoms of gum disease can benefit from a deep cleaning process known as scaling and root planing, in which the dentist cleans beneath the gum line. Smoothing out the roots, or planing them, allows the gums to reattach to them and, thus, helps to stabilize the tooth. Gum and bone grafts can also help rebuild lost gum tissue or jawbone density, respectively. These procedures have the potential to better secure the tooth. Additionally, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to control the underlying infection.

Tooth decay

A pediatric dentist must remove any tooth decay. Typically, this means a root canal procedure will be necessary, as the decay is likely to have reached the tooth root if it is loose. After the procedure, the dentist may place a dental crown to completely restore the tooth.

Tooth extraction and replacements

Sometimes, the only option is to extract a loose tooth, such as if it is decayed beyond repair. An emergency pediatric dentist can perform this procedure to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth. They will also recommend tooth replacements to restore the child’s smile, such as flipper teeth or dental bridges. Alternatively, they can install a space maintainer, a dental device that holds space for when the permanent tooth erupts.