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Tooth Health
How to Loosen a Tooth Download Article Painless ways to speed up a loose tooth Medically reviewed by Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Last Updated: April 26, 2025
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Loosening it with Clean Fingers or a Toothbrush
|
Eating Crunchy Foods
|
Seeing Your Dentist
|
Expert Q&A
|
Tips
|
Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was medically reviewed by Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. This article has been viewed 239,370 times.
A loose tooth can be very exciting for a young child — particularly if they believe in the Tooth Fairy. Adults can also develop a loose tooth due to gum disease or something hitting their teeth. You can remove a loose tooth at home using clean fingers or by brushing. Sometimes, eating crunchy foods can also loosen the tooth. If you are worried about loosening a tooth on your own, see your dentist.
Safely Loosening a Tooth
You can use your fingers or a toothbrush to gently wiggle your tooth. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly beforehand. You can also try eating crunchy foods, such as an apple or corn.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Loosening it with Clean Fingers or a Toothbrush
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1 Wash your hands well. Before you touch the tooth with your fingers, make sure you wash your hands really well. Use antibacterial soap and warm water to scrub your hands. Remove all dirt, bacteria, and germs on your hands. This will ensure they do not get into your mouth or onto the tooth when you touch it.
You can also wash your hands with hand sanitizer if you do not have access to running water. The hand sanitizer should contain alcohol and be antibacterial.
If your child is trying to loosen their tooth, make sure they wash their hands well. You may wash their hands for them to make sure they are clean.
2 Wiggle the tooth with your finger. Use your pointer finger to gently wiggle the tooth in the socket. Do not twist the tooth or push it from side to side as this can cause pain and damage the gum area.
Instruct your child on how to do this so they do not damage the tooth or their gums.
Baby teeth that are fully erupted by the age of three should wiggle around fairly easily. Teeth that are not ready to come out may not move around much when you try to wiggle them.
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3 Check if there is pain when you wiggle the tooth. Notice if you feel pain when you wiggle the tooth around. If you feel any sharp pain when you move the tooth, it is likely not ready to come out.
Let the tooth sit in your mouth until you can wiggle it without any pain. Only then should you try to loosen it more or remove it.
4 Brush the tooth to loosen it. Another way you can remove the tooth is to brush your tooth with a toothbrush. Use the wet toothbrush to gently wiggle at the tooth. Do not rub the tooth hard or scrape at it with the toothbrush.
If the tooth feels loose when you brush it and you don't feel any pain, it may be ready to come out. Otherwise, you may want to leave it alone until it falls out on its own.
5 Rinse your mouth if the tooth falls out. If the tooth falls out on its own, it should not bleed much. Rinse your mouth out with water to remove any blood in the socket.
If the tooth is knocked out or wiggled out, it may bleed more. You may need to bite down on a piece of clean gauze or a towel to soak up the blood. It can take up to an hour for the bleeding to stop.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Eating Crunchy Foods
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1 Bite into an apple or a pear. Apples and pears are crunchy and can help to loosen up a tooth. Have apple or pear slices. Try biting into an apple to make the tooth more loose.
Do not try to drag the apple or pear against the tooth to help loosen it. This could damage the tooth and the gum area. Instead, bite and chew the apple or pear to loosen the tooth.
2 Try corn on the cob. Another good crunchy food for loosening a tooth is corn on the cob. Bite into corn on the cob to help loosen your tooth from the socket.
3 Have bread or a bagel. Soft but crunchy foods like bread or a bagel are also a good option for loosening a tooth. Bagels in particular are just soft enough to loosen your tooth without damaging it. Toast the bread or the bagel so it is crunchy and can help to loosen the tooth.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Seeing Your Dentist
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1 See your dentist if you have a loose adult tooth or the tooth is infected. Adults often develop a loose tooth due to grinding their teeth or gum disease. In some cases, the tooth can be knocked loose due to trauma to the mouth. If you have a loose adult tooth or you suspect the tooth is infected, see your dentist for treatment.[1]X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMDBoard Certified DentistExpert Interview
A tooth is likely infected if it is sore or painful to the touch. The gum area around the tooth may also be painful, swollen, or red.
If you notice your child has a loose tooth that appears infected, bring them to the dentist right away.
2 Speak to your dentist about your treatment options. Your dentist will assess the tooth and determine if it is infected. They may provide extra support to the tooth, such as a small flexible splint, to keep the tooth anchored and stable. You will need to wear the splint for two weeks so the tooth can heal and go back into place.
If you have a loose tooth due to grinding your teeth, known as bruxism, you may need to wear a special mouth guard at night when you sleep.
If you have a loose tooth due to gum disease, you may need to have deep cleaning done on the tooth.
3 Discuss removing the loose tooth, if necessary. If the tooth is too loose to be saved and is very infected, the dentist may recommend removing it. They will do a tooth extraction, numbing the area so you do not feel any pain when it is removed. You may then need to wear a dental implant or a partial denture to replace the tooth.[2]X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMDBoard Certified DentistExpert Interview
Having an implant will prevent your other teeth from pulling out of their sockets to try to fill the space.
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Expert Q&A
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Question Can a loose tooth tighten back up? Tu Anh Vu, DMD Board Certified Dentist Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Tu Anh Vu, DMD Board Certified Dentist Expert Answer It's not really possible to tighten a loose tooth. If your tooth is loose, there may be several underlying issues. One of the most common issues is gum disease, which needs to be addressed if you have teeth coming loose. However, a dentist may be able to correct the issue. With that said, you need address the problem quickly by contacting your dentist. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 21
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Tips
Most dental professionals actually recommend letting a tooth fall out naturally rather than loosening it, which may lead to pain and breakage if done incorrectly. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Never use the "tying the tooth to a door and slamming it" technique seen in movies and cartoons. This can be very painful and damaging to teeth. It's also not very precise. Thanks Helpful 17 Not Helpful 2
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References
↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview
↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview
About This Article
Medically reviewed by: Tu Anh Vu, DMD Board Certified Dentist This article was medically reviewed by Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. This article has been viewed 239,370 times. 44 votes - 66% Co-authors: 28Updated: April 26, 2025 Views: 239,370 Categories: Tooth Health
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
Read More...
Article SummaryX
To loosen a tooth, start by washing your hands to remove any germs or bacteria, then gently wiggle the tooth with your index finger. If there’s any sharp pain when you move the tooth, let it sit in your mouth until you can wiggle it without any pain. Then, try loosening the tooth from the socket by gently pushing against it with a wet toothbrush. Alternatively, try creating a push-pull motion to help loosen the tooth by eating crunchy foods like an apple, pear, or toasted bagel. For more advice from our Dental reviewer, including how to stop the bleeding once your tooth falls out, keep reading.Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Anonymous
Oct 23, 2017
"The wiggling did the work for me. My canine tooth (adult) was growing and my baby canine teeth was little loose. I wiggled it till it fell out. "..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Medically reviewed by: Tu Anh Vu, DMD Board Certified Dentist 44 votes - 66% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 28Updated: April 26, 2025 Views: 239,370
Anonymous
Oct 23, 2017
"The wiggling did the work for me. My canine tooth (adult) was growing and my baby canine teeth was little loose. I wiggled it till it fell out. "..." more
Bryan
Dec 31, 2021
"This helped me a lot. I bit down on apples, it made it even looser and that's how it helped me, hopefully it falls out soon!"..." more
Aanya.a_oos
Aug 19, 2021
"Thanks a lot. I wiggled and wiggled and wiggled softly and my tooth was so loose, it came out when studying in school."..." more Rated this article:
Anonymous
Jun 27, 2023
"I was brushing my teeth just like the article said, then my tooth fell out. Now my pan is gone."
Lily Jones
Jun 10, 2018
"Thanks. I eat apples lots, and didn't realize my tooth came out when I was eating one!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Painless ways to speed up a loose tooth Medically reviewed by Tu Anh Vu, DMD 
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Medically reviewed by: Tu Anh Vu, DMD Board Certified Dentist This article was medically reviewed by Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. This article has been viewed 239,370 times. 44 votes - 66% Co-authors: 28 Updated: April 26, 2025 Views: 239,370 Categories: Tooth Health 
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1 Wash your hands well. Before you touch the tooth with your fingers, make sure you wash your hands really well. Use antibacterial soap and warm water to scrub your hands. Remove all dirt, bacteria, and germs on your hands. This will ensure they do not get into your mouth or onto the tooth when you touch it. 
2 Wiggle the tooth with your finger. Use your pointer finger to gently wiggle the tooth in the socket. Do not twist the tooth or push it from side to side as this can cause pain and damage the gum area. 
3 Check if there is pain when you wiggle the tooth. Notice if you feel pain when you wiggle the tooth around. If you feel any sharp pain when you move the tooth, it is likely not ready to come out. 
4 Brush the tooth to loosen it. Another way you can remove the tooth is to brush your tooth with a toothbrush. Use the wet toothbrush to gently wiggle at the tooth. Do not rub the tooth hard or scrape at it with the toothbrush. 
5 Rinse your mouth if the tooth falls out. If the tooth falls out on its own, it should not bleed much. Rinse your mouth out with water to remove any blood in the socket. 
1 Bite into an apple or a pear. Apples and pears are crunchy and can help to loosen up a tooth. Have apple or pear slices. Try biting into an apple to make the tooth more loose. 
2 Try corn on the cob. Another good crunchy food for loosening a tooth is corn on the cob. Bite into corn on the cob to help loosen your tooth from the socket. 
3 Have bread or a bagel. Soft but crunchy foods like bread or a bagel are also a good option for loosening a tooth. Bagels in particular are just soft enough to loosen your tooth without damaging it. Toast the bread or the bagel so it is crunchy and can help to loosen the tooth. Advertisement 
1 See your dentist if you have a loose adult tooth or the tooth is infected. Adults often develop a loose tooth due to grinding their teeth or gum disease. In some cases, the tooth can be knocked loose due to trauma to the mouth. If you have a loose adult tooth or you suspect the tooth is infected, see your dentist for treatment.[1] 
2 Speak to your dentist about your treatment options. Your dentist will assess the tooth and determine if it is infected. They may provide extra support to the tooth, such as a small flexible splint, to keep the tooth anchored and stable. You will need to wear the splint for two weeks so the tooth can heal and go back into place. 
3 Discuss removing the loose tooth, if necessary. If the tooth is too loose to be saved and is very infected, the dentist may recommend removing it. They will do a tooth extraction, numbing the area so you do not feel any pain when it is removed. You may then need to wear a dental implant or a partial denture to replace the tooth.[2] 
Tu Anh Vu, DMD Board Certified Dentist Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.