Permanent Tooth Feels Loose
The number one reason an adult may experience a loose tooth is gum disease as a result of poor oral hygiene. There are a number of other reasons that may cause a tooth to become loose but as an adult, a loose tooth is usually a symptom of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Fortunately, there are treatments available to save your teeth!
Causes of Loose Teeth in Adults
Gum Disease
Taking the time to practice good oral hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent gum disease accompanied by regular visits to your dentist for preventative care. Early gum disease presents as gingivitis which, left untreated, progresses into advanced periodontitis. Patients with underlying medical conditions such as osteoporosis or diabetes should take special care to practice good oral hygiene because they may be more susceptible to gum disease.
Avoid developing detrimental gum disease by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day as well as visiting your dentist at least twice a year for preventative professional cleanings. Patients with diagnosed periodontal disease may require professional cleanings more often than the usual every six months to keep everything under control, possibly three or four per year. If your dental hygienist advises a frequent recall, it is in your best interest to follow through.
Trauma or Accident
Accidents come without warning and can cause dental trauma. Patients who participate in physical contact sports should wear a mouthguard during play which can greatly prevent teeth from being injured in case of a hit to the face. In the event that a patient experiences a fall or other accident that affects their teeth, they should visit their dentist as soon as possible for a quick exam and x-ray to make sure that the affected teeth are stable.
Lifestyle
Some habits that can increase a patient’s risk of developing gum disease. Patients who smoke regularly are more likely to have bone loss and are at higher risk for tooth loss. Those who smoke should floss at least once a day and to visit their dentist at least twice a year, if not more frequently, for professional cleanings.
Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and grinding that a lot of us do in our sleep and can also lead to loose teeth in adult patients. Stress can exacerbate bruxism which causes an abnormal amount of pressure on the teeth leading to excessive wear on your teeth and possibly looseness. Your dentist can fabricate a custom night guard for you to sleep in that will help protect your teeth from the negative effects of bruxism.
Left untreated, the tooth may become hopeless at which point it will either fall out on its own or require extraction and replacement with either an implant or dental bridge. Your dentist has the tools and knowledge to try to save a loose tooth which may include attaching a splint to the surface of the loose tooth then bonding the splint to neighboring teeth. The splint will support your tooth while the damaged ligaments heal and your tooth stabilizes.
If you find yourself with a mobile tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible!