LOOSE TOOTH
A tooth may be loose for one of several reasons. Decide the reason before giving the treatment.
| IF THE TOOTH IS LOOSE BECAUSE | THE BEST TREATMENT: |
| A new permanent tooth is growing under it. | 1. tell the mother and child what is happening. 2, pull out the loose baby tooth, if it is hurting the child. |
| gum disease or an old abscess has eaten the bone around its roots. | 1. take out the tooth, especially if it also hurts. 2. explain to the person what to do to prevent this problem in other teeth.. |
| its root has been broken. | Take out both parts of the tooth. If you have trouble taking out the broken root, leave it and try again a week later. |
| the bone around its root is cracked. (The bone moves when you push against the tooth.) | Do not take out the tooth. If you do,the bone will come out with it. Instead, hold the tooth with wires. |
A tooth may also be loose because another tooth is biting too hard against it.
SIGNS:
- you can feel the tooth move when the upper and lower teeth meet.
- that tooth hurts.
TREATMENT:
You need to remove a bit of each of the teeth that are biting too hard. Use either a dental worker's drill, a small file, or a hard stone.
- 1. Smooth the inside edge of the upper tooth.
- 2. Smooth the outside edge of the lower tooth.
