Permanent Tooth Feels Loose
If you have a permanent tooth that feels loose, it’s likely that this is an indication of a larger issue. The permanent, or secondary, teeth can loosen due to trauma or injury, or they can loosen due to gum disease. The treatment for a loose secondary tooth will depend on the cause, and, if you have a secondary tooth that feels loose, you should see your dentist as soon as you can. If your tooth is loose due to injury or trauma, which can uproot a tooth, you may need to have the affected tooth stabilized with a splint, which may require dental surgery. If your tooth is loose with no apparent cause, it is likely due to gum disease, and you will need to address the underlying gum disease in order to determine the prognosis for your loose tooth. If you have a loose tooth that is accompanied by a bad taste or bad smell in the mouth or pain and tenderness in the gums, this is a near-certain indication that you have gum disease and should work with a dentist for treatment. In all cases, the sooner you can see your dentist, the better, as waiting to address a loose tooth can make the situation worse.
If your dentist decides that the appropriate treatment for your loose tooth is splinting the tooth, healing will likely take a few weeks. For this treatment, your dentist will affix a splint to the surface of the loose tooth and then attach it to the stable teeth nearby, using these strong teeth to hold the loose tooth in place. Stabilizing the tooth in this way can help damaged ligaments heal and can also help strengthen the loose tooth’s support systems. If you grind or clench your teeth and this excessive force has caused your teeth to loosen, you may be given a mouthguard to wear while sleeping. Grinding the teeth while sleeping subjects the teeth and the rest of the oral cavity to profoundly excessive force, which can cause the teeth to loosen, especially when gum disease is also present. A mouthguard worn regularly while sleeping can help stabilize teeth that are loosening due to clenching or grinding, which is called bruxism, and may resolve the issue within a few weeks of consistent wear.
On its own, gum disease can cause teeth to loosen. As it progresses, gum disease causes the gum tissue to degrade and the bone to resorb into the body. As the jawbone shrinks due to inflammation and infection, there is less tissue holding the teeth in place, and they can loosen and may even eventually fall out if not addressed. Your dentist can deep clean your mouth, removing infection and bacteria from the teeth, gums, and the rest of the oral cavity. It takes a month or two to heal from a dental deep clean, and treatment for gum disease is ongoing, but it can save your permanent teeth and is a worthwhile investment. If there are secondary causes that have contributed to your loose tooth, in addition to gum disease, these secondary causes will also be addressed, and a mouthguard or splint may accompany treatment for gum disease.
The best way to address a loose permanent tooth is to prevent the tooth from loosening in the first place. Gum disease can be prevented with effective oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist for routine checkups and professional cleanings. If you play contact sports, make sure you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from trauma or injury. People with certain medical conditions, like osteoporosis and diabetes, may be more prone to problems with their teeth, so be sure to talk to your dentist about your complete medical history and keep them updated with any changes. Working with your dentist and following their guidelines for care and hygiene can help keep your permanent teeth safely in your mouth, permanently.