A loose adult tooth doesn’t occur without cause. At first, you may notice looseness while brushing or flossing, or your dentist may notice some wobbling during a routine checkup.
Other times, a loose tooth may be due to advanced gum disease. A gum disease erupts when bacterial infection attacks your gums, tissue, and surrounding bones.
Gum disease is the outcome of poor dental hygiene. If you don’t brush or floss regularly or skip routine dental cleanings, tartar can build up into space underneath your gums. It is a treatable disease. If caught early, it is possible to kill an infection, stop inflammation, and restore your teeth’ health.
If left unattended, gum disease can expand, leading to bone deterioration. There will be an absence of support your teeth need, and they will eventually become loose.
Early signs of gum disease include bleeding, painful and red gums.
Other causes of a loose adult tooth:
- Teeth grinding/clenching. Grinding your teeth unconsciously can eventually damage them and cause other complications like facial pain and headaches.
- Trauma. Trauma to the mouth can also result in a loose tooth. This might happen if you fall and hit your mouth.
Treatments for a loose tooth in adults
Treatment depends on the cause of a loose tooth. Options include:
- Splinting. The dentist uses a piece of metal to tie together two neighboring teeth. This gives the loose tooth extra support and keeps it from moving.
- Bone grafting. Your doctor can use a special bone grafting material or take bone fragments from another area of your body to repair diseased bone in your mouth. This helps support your teeth in cases of bone deterioration.
- Mouth guard. To prevent grinding, your doctor may recommend you wearing a night guard while sleeping.
- Bite adjustment. This procedure includes reshaping the tooth’s bite surface, which reduces pressure on the tooth, allowing it to heal. This is a treatment option for a loose tooth caused by grinding.
If you think you might have a loose tooth, let us take care before it’s too late. Schedule your appointment by calling Porter Smiles Dental at 281 519 7200.