What Should You Do If Your Dental Crown Feels Wobbly?
A restorative treatment used to strengthen and protect a damaged tooth, crowns are not infallible. Although it is certainly unusual for one to fail, you might experience a looseness if you have eaten certain foodstuffs or your tooth has been suffering from further decay. Whatever the cause may be, if such an issue arises, it will be a good idea to know the proper steps to take to prevent further complications. Read on to find out what you need to do.
Avoid Further Stress
First and foremost, it is advisable to avoid chewing or applying any undue pressure to the affected area. Applying stress could lead to further damage. These might include cracks in the crown itself or further injury to the underlying tooth structure. Until you can see your dentist, try to chew food on the opposite side of your mouth and avoid pushing too hard when brushing your teeth.
Step Up Your Oral Hygiene
As a preventive measure, most dentists would recommend augmenting your oral hygiene regime. This will minimize the potential for infection beneath the loose crown. Brush and floss as before, being mindful to take care around the affected area. In addition, rinse with warm salt water or a mouthwash product after you eat to help keep the area free from bacteria.
Book a Dental Appointment
Dental issues rarely resolve on their own. Typically, loose dental crowns only become more problematic as time goes on. Loose crowns may not seem like an emergency situation, but they deserve more urgent attention than many other problems. Prolonged periods without securing the crown could lead to infections, shifting of adjacent teeth, and even the entire loss of the dental prosthetic.
Apply Dental Adhesive
If you have to wait more than a day or two for your dentist's appointment, you could consider using dental adhesive to keep the crown from shifting further. This type of item can be found in most pharmacies nowadays. Note that this would only be a temporary solution and not something you could rely on for weeks. Adhesive can keep crowns in place and prevent them from falling off but it'll never be as secure as the work your dentist can do. After all, your dentist will assess the damage to the prosthetic as well as the tooth structure beyond it. Depending on what is found, your dentist may be able to re-cement the existing crown back into place. However, additional treatment, such as a root canal procedure, may be needed before a new crown can be fitted, so any self-made remedy can only be for the short term.
For more information on dental crowns, contact a professional near you.
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