What Causes Loose Teeth?
While children commonly experience loose teeth when they still have their primary teeth, when the secondary, or permanent, teeth are loose, it is an indication that something is wrong. If you notice that any of your teeth are loose, this is an indication that something is wrong, and you should see your dentist right away.
In many cases, a loosened secondary tooth is caused by advanced gum disease, which is an inflammatory infection that gradually destroys the gums, bones, and surrounding tissues in the jaw. Gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene. When the bacterial plaque remains on the surfaces of the teeth, it hardens and turns into dental calculus, also known as tartar, which can build up beneath the gum line and cause inflammation. Even with meticulous brushing and flossing, it’s possible to miss some plaque, especially in harder-to-reach areas of the mouth, and dental hygienists can remove residual plaque and tartar during routine professional cleanings. Gum disease can be treated, and sometimes reversed, when it is caught in the early stages, but since it’s often symptomless in these early stages, regular dental visits are a key part of early diagnosis and treatment. If you notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss, or if they’re tender or red, this may be a sign of early gum disease, and you should schedule an appointment for a dental checkup and professional cleaning.
Loose secondary teeth may also be caused by the excessive force of grinding or clenching the teeth, a habitual condition called bruxism, which can also cause headaches and pain in the jaw. An injury to the face or mouth can also cause a tooth to loosen. When gum disease is present, the forces of bruxism or trauma are likely to cause greater damage than when the oral cavity is healthy.
A loose tooth that is left unaddressed can eventually detach completely and fall out, but proper treatment can help restore the gums and bone to health, strengthening the teeth and promoting their healing. If a tooth is too loose to save, your dentist may recommend removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental prosthetic, like a dental implant or dental bridge. A tooth that is loose because of injury or trauma can be treated by stabilizing the tooth with a splint, though the trauma may be too severe to save the tooth; if you play contact sports, dentists recommend wearing a mouthguard to reduce the likelihood of dental trauma occurring in the first place. Preventing gum disease with effective oral hygiene and regular dental checkups and cleanings can also keep the teeth from loosening in the first place.
Treatment for a loose tooth can begin after a dentist has determined its cause. Gum disease is treated with a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the surfaces of the tooth root to allow the gum tissue to heal and more effectively support the teeth. In cases of more severe gum disease, a surgical procedure may be required to repair the gum tissue and bone, and when teeth have loosened due to bruxism, dentists will recommend wearing a mouthguard while sleeping to protect the teeth. If gum disease is also present, this will be treated as well, and the combined therapies will aim to stabilize the teeth and preserve their secure place in the mouth.