Having a loose tooth can be uncomfortable and even painful. While it's healing, you'll want to avoid certain hard or sticky foods that could make matters worse. Here's a look at what to avoid if you have a loose tooth and some softer alternatives that will still give your body the nutrition it needs.
How Loose Teeth Happen?
There are several potential causes of loose teeth. Most commonly, dental crown material starts to fail over time. The cement holding the crown onto your real tooth slowly wears down. Other times, you may have an underlying issue like gum disease weakening tissue and bone around your teeth. Trauma or injury to your mouth can also knock teeth loose. As we age, receding gums and erosion of bone and ligaments make teeth more prone to loosening.
Foods to Avoid with Loose Teeth
When you have a loose tooth, biting or chewing certain foods may shift your tooth out of place or cause additional damage. Here are some key examples of what to stay away from:
Hard Foods
Any foods that require extensive chewing should be avoided if possible. Raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, granola, dried fruit, popcorn kernels, hard bread, or bagels strain loose teeth.
Chewy or Gummy Foods
Even if a food isn't necessarily hard, anything with a thick, chewy texture can tug and pull at fragile teeth. Say no to sticky candies, caramels, gum, or chewy granola bars.
Crunchy and Crusty Foods
Foods with hard outer coatings or crusts also give loose teeth trouble. Be careful with chips, pretzels, crackers, nuts with shells, or foods with crispy coatings.
Extreme Temperatures
Hot and cold foods can cause further irritation and discomfort. Avoid ice, popsicles, frozen treats, and piping hot drinks like coffee or tea. Let soups and dishes go straight from the oven first.
Acidic Foods
High-acid foods increase inflammation and sensitivity around loose teeth. Lemon, grapefruit, pineapple, pickles, and other acidic fare may lead to bleeding and additional swelling.
Healthy Alternatives for Loose Teeth
Just because you have a loose tooth doesn't mean you're doomed to boring meals. You can enjoy nutritious foods with a little creativity without aggravating your dental issues. Here are some tooth-friendly ideas:
Smoothies: Blend your favorite fruits, vegetables, yogurt and milk. No chewing is needed!
Mashed or sweet potatoes: Prepare potatoes with butter, spices, broth, or gravy for creamy comfort food.
Soups: From chicken noodles to vegetable lentils and everything in between, soups are ideal for eating soft foods with plenty of nutrients.
Eggs: Scrambled, boiled, poached, baked, or fried eggs are protein powerhouses for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Oatmeal: Enjoy a warm bowl of oats with cinnamon, fruit spreads, brown sugar, or milk.
Pudding: Chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio pudding cups make satisfying snacks or desserts.
Applesauce: Feast on flavored or homemade varieties of this fruity favorite.
Cottage cheese: Mix fruit, herbs, or spices to perk up this high-protein dairy pick.
Getting Dental Help
If your loose tooth doesn't tighten up on its own in a couple of weeks, make an appointment with your dentist. The skilled experts at Guard Your Smile Dentistry in Annapolis, MD, provide advanced care, including dental crown replacements. With convenient office hours, they make it easy to revitalize the health and appearance of your smile. Call today to learn more about loose tooth treatment options such as braces, bite splints, dental implants, etc. Their friendly staff looks forward to consulting you about teeth straightening, whitening, cosmetic dentistry near you, injury recovery, and preventative oral healthcare. Thanks to the cost-effective excellence of this full-service dentist near me, 21401, I smile proudly again.