Ask a Dentist

Q: Is it OK if I wiggle out a loose tooth?

A woman with long hair smiles at the camera.

If you are an adult - no. Please come see us as soon as possible and try to keep the tooth in it’s socket – it could possibly be saved! If the tooth does happen to fall out, place it in a cup of milk until you can see us.

An avulsed tooth (one that has been completely displaced from its socket) will unfortunately require a root canal, as the nerves and tissues and blood vessels surrounding the tooth will also be damaged. Fortunately, the bone can often heal itself around the root of the tooth, which keeps it in place and prevents further damage.

If your loose tooth does fall out, please take the following steps to improve the chances of saving your tooth:

  1. Call or visit our St. Vital or Garden City dental clinics as soon as possible. Every minute counts!
  2. Try not to touch the root of the tooth, as it can be damaged easily.
  3. Keep the tooth moist. Drop it into a glass of milk, or keep it between your cheek and gum. If you don’t think you or your child can do this safely (without swallowing it) spit into a cup and keep the tooth in your saliva.
  4. Try putting it gently back into the socket, but do not force it in.

Give us a call or schedule an emergency appointment at our St. Vital or Garden City locations today.

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