Emergency Dentistry and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease: Is a Loose Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Many dentists are recommending that patients not receive checkup visits and elective procedures in the office until after social distancing for COVID-19 is over and it is safe to do so. However, many dentists are still offering emergency dentistry services, and it is helpful for people to know what is considered a dental emergency. 

Emergency dentistry for a loose tooth

A loose tooth is a common reason for an emergency dentistry visit. People can benefit from understanding when to call for emergency dentistry treatment for their loose tooth to ensure the issue does not get worse. The following is everything to know about emergency dentistry for a loose tooth during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

What causes a loose tooth?

There are many different causes of a loose tooth. It is important to be familiar with oral health and understand why a tooth may have become loose to receive the proper treatment and prevent the issue from happening to other teeth. The most common reasons for a loose tooth include:

• Gum disease
• Dental trauma
• Oral infection
• Severe decay

Dental trauma is typically the result of a blow to the mouth, although a more common cause is typically an oral health concern such as gum disease, oral infection or severe decay caused by poor oral hygiene care.

How serious is a loose tooth?

Of course, there are different severity levels of a loose tooth. The more loose the tooth is the more at-risk it is of becoming lost. With that said, any tooth that is not securely intact is a concern that requires dental treatment. It is important to avoid too much pressure on the loose tooth until a dental visit can be scheduled either for emergency dentistry or after the COVID-19 outbreak. A loose tooth that is not severe may not cause any issues with pain and swelling, but a loose tooth that does cause pain and swelling can be very serious.

When to consider emergency dentistry

A loose tooth that is not severe may not cause any issues with pain and swelling, but a loose tooth that does cause pain and swelling can be very serious. It is important to asses the symptoms and the severity of the symptoms, along with how loose the tooth is, in determining whether an emergency dentistry visit is needed. 

However, it is strongly encouraged to call the dentist office to discuss concerns and take their advice if they suggest coming into the office for prompt emergency treatment during COVID-19. Dentists have several ways to treat a loose tooth, including through a scaling and root planing, dental crown and tooth replacement. 

Consult with us for loose tooth treatment

Emergency dentistry involves treating oral health concerns such as loose teeth that cannot wait until after the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have a loose tooth and want to find out what the next step to take is, get in touch with our dental office today to discuss symptoms, receive a recommendation and to find answers to any additional questions.

Are you considering emergency dentistry in the Brevard area? Get more information at https://www.carolinasmilesdentist.com.

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