Can I swallow a loose crown

There is a small risk if the crown is very loose. Remove it and keep it safe, then contact your dentist for advice.

Will a loose crown always need replacing

Not always. Many crowns can be re-cemented if the fit is good and the tooth is healthy.

Should I use glue from home

No. Only use pharmacy dental cement as a short term fix if you cannot see a dentist quickly and the tooth is comfortable.

Why did my crown come loose

Reasons include cement washout, decay at the margin, grinding or bite changes. Your dentist will check and explain your case.

Loose Dental Crown: What To Do (and What Not To Do)

If your crown feels wobbly or has come off, try not to worry. Most crowns can be re-cemented if the tooth and crown are sound. This guide shows calm, safe steps, what to avoid, and when to contact us for urgent help in Ludlow.

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Quick answer

Save the crown and keep it clean and dry in a small pot.
Do not chew on that side. Choose soft foods until it is seen.
Contact us soon so we can check the tooth and re-cement where suitable.
If the crown has a post, or a part has broken, this needs prompt assessment.

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What to do now

1. Find and clean the crown

Rinse the crown gently with water. Do not scrub the inside. Place it in a clean pot so we can assess the fit.

2. Look at the tooth

If the tooth is sensitive, cover the area with a small piece of sugar free chewing gum for comfort. This is a short term measure only.

3. Temporary cement if needed

If you cannot see us quickly and the tooth is not painful, a pharmacy temporary dental cement may help hold the crown for a short time. Follow the pack instructions. We will still need to check and re-cement properly.

Advice here is general. A GDC-registered dentist will confirm the best option after a full check.

What not to do

Do not use superglue or household glue. These can damage the tooth and crown and are not safe in the mouth.
Do not force the crown back if it does not seat easily. This risks trapping food or damaging the gum.
Do not chew hard or sticky foods on that side. Avoid very hot or very cold drinks if the tooth feels sensitive.
Do not leave a loose crown in place overnight. Remove it and keep it safe to avoid swallowing it.

When it is urgent

Tooth is very painful or you have swelling.
The crown has a metal post attached or a part of the tooth has broken.
You cannot close your mouth comfortably or you are worried you might swallow the crown.

We keep time for urgent dental problems in Ludlow. See our emergency dentistry page for how to reach us.

How we fix a loose crown

Check and clean

We examine the tooth, gums and crown. If the fit is good and the tooth is sound we can often re-cement the crown the same day.

Repair or replace

If the crown or tooth is damaged we explain options. These may include a new crown, a small filling to rebuild the core, or root canal treatment if the nerve is involved.

Alternatives if the tooth cannot be saved

We will discuss choices such as a dental bridge or a dental implant and explain pros, cons and costs.

For typical ranges see our dental fee guide. You will receive a written estimate before treatment.

How to keep it comfortable until you are seen

Simple short term tips
Tip	Why it helps	Notes
Chew on the other side	Reduces pressure on the tooth	Choose soft foods and cut food into small pieces
Keep the area clean	Limits food trapping and soreness	Brush gently and rinse with water. Avoid poking the gap
Use pharmacy dental cement	Short term hold for mild cases	Follow instructions. We still need to check the fit
Pain relief if suitable for you	Improves comfort	Use according to the packet or your GP advice

Regular check ups and cleaning help reduce the chance of future looseness by keeping the margins clean and gums healthy.

FAQs

There is a small risk if the crown is very loose. Remove it and keep it safe. Contact us for advice.

Not always. Many crowns can be cleaned and re-cemented if the fit is still good and the tooth is healthy.

No. Only use pharmacy dental cement as a short term fix if you cannot see us quickly and the tooth is comfortable.

Common reasons include cement washout, decay around the edges, grinding or a change in the bite. We will check and explain what caused yours.

Our team at Corve Dental can help. See our pages on dental crowns, root canal treatment and emergency dentistry or browse more tips on our dental blogs.

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