A loose tooth in a child signifies an important milestone. Shedding of the deciduous teeth starts at the age of about six and goes all the way up to about 12 years. While it can be easy to remove a loose tooth, sometimes a loose tooth can be stubborn and not want to fall out. At that point, it can be difficult to know if it is better to remove it yourself, let nature take its course, or visit a dentist. At the Dental Center of Norcross, we have developed some tips you can follow to help your child remove a loose tooth.
What Are the Best Ways to Remove a Loose Tooth?
Continuous Wiggling
To make a stubborn tooth comes out freely, encourage your child to wiggle the tooth with their tongue or fingers, making sure that they have washed their hands before doing so. Persistent wiggling will loosen the tooth until it comes out on its own. If wiggling brings about some discomfort or pain, do not force them to continue as it may be too early for the tooth to come out.
Use Wet Gauze
Using a cold, damp gauze pad for traction, grip the loose tooth and pull it out quickly and firmly. Cold cloth helps ease the discomfort and pain that the removal may cause. Additionally, having the gauze present at the point of extraction can prevent excessive bleeding.
Flossing Technique
This is arguably one of the most popular methods of removing deciduous teeth when they are being stubborn. Help your child wrap around dental floss around the loose tooth and encourage them to floss normally around the tooth in a back and forth motion until the tooth comes out.
Eating Crunchy Food
Chewing hard or crunchy food can be a great option for removing a loose tooth. Examples of crunchy food that can help remove a loose tooth include apples, carrots, and celery. Besides helping remove the loose tooth, chewing these foods is also an excellent way of scrubbing the teeth, removing both plaque and bacteria. Make sure the crunchy foods you choose are healthy!
Avoid the “Doorknob” Method
You may have heard about the “doorknob” tooth extraction method, where one ties a string to the loose tooth, attaches the other end to a doorknob, and shuts the door quickly. The impact may cause the tooth to come out immediately, but while this method may seem to be fun and exciting, it is unsafe and can cause a lot of pain.
Visit a Dentist
If the loose tooth starts causing pain or other oral health problems, it may be time to visit a dentist to have them take the tooth out. Our dental team will examine the tooth and remove it safely and painlessly.
Is Removing a Loose Tooth Painful?
When you remove a loose baby tooth, it is normal for your child to experience some discomfort and pain. Normally, after tooth extraction, the pain will last for just a few minutes. But if the pain persists for hours on end, your child may have an infection and should see a dentist immediately.
How Can I Stop a Loose Tooth from Bleeding?
As noted above, using cotton gauze soaked in cold water can help reduce bleeding. Simply place the gaze over the bleeding area for a couple of minutes. If the bleeding does not stop after a few minutes, seek prompt medical attention from your dentist.
Request an Appointment at the Dental Center of Norcross
If you are concerned about your child’s tooth or general oral health, it is a good idea to make an appointment with the Dental Center of Norcross. Our services include:
- Family dentistry
- Teeth cleanings
- Teeth whitening
- Dental implants services
- Oral cancer screenings
- Root canal therapy
Let us help you promote your child’s overall oral health. Contact Dental Center of Norcross online today or call us at 678.504.6422 to learn more about the best ways to remove a loose tooth.
