Where There Is No Dentist 2012 99
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. (See Chapter 5.)
its root has been broken.
the bone around its root is cracked.
(The bone moves when you push
against the tooth.)
Take out both parts of the tooth. If you have trouble
taking out the broken root, leave it and try again a
week later.
Do not take out the tooth. If you do, the bone will
come out with it. Instead, hold the tooth with wires
(page 110).
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.