What to Do If a Tooth Becomes Loose?

Why teeth might become loose and what you should do if you notice this happening to yours.

The majority of us most likely never think about our teeth becoming loose once we are past the childhood stage and have entered our adult life with our permanent teeth. When we do notice that a tooth has become less stable then, it is naturally a cause for concern.

A loose or wobbly tooth might be noticed when eating, brushing your teeth or simply running your tongue over the area. Whether the tooth just feels a little loose or is significantly so, you shouldn’t just ignore it. There are several reasons why this might happen. Sometimes, the issue can be resolved relatively easily, while other times, it may require more extensive treatment. The sooner the cause is identified though, the more likely it is that the tooth can be protected.

Gum disease

One of the most common reasons for a loose adult tooth is gum disease. This begins when plaque bacteria build up around the gum line. If the plaque is not removed properly, the gums become inflamed and begin to pull away from the teeth. When this happens, you might notice red, swollen or bleeding gums. Unfortunately, these early signs are often ignored because gum disease is not usually painful. If the condition progresses, it can begin to damage the bone and surrounding tissues that hold the teeth in place. As this support is gradually lost, the teeth are likely to start to move.

Physical blows to the teeth

A sudden blow to the mouth can also cause a tooth to become loose. This might happen during contact sports, a fall, an accident or even something as simple as biting down unexpectedly on a hard object. The ligaments surrounding the tooth can be damaged by the impact. A loose tooth following an injury should always be assessed by one of the dentists at the Cygnet Dental Practice as soon as possible for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Bruxism

Some people grind or clench their teeth, especially while they sleep. This can place a lot of pressure on the teeth. Although grinding does not always lead to a loose tooth, it can contribute to damage and make existing problems worse. You might not realise that you grind your teeth, but possible signs such as worn or chipped teeth, headaches in the morning, jaw discomfort or increased sensitivity might indicate that you do.

While we can help to restore teeth damaged in this way at our popular Wickford clinic, it is better to intervene to stop this from happening at all. As this is thought to often be related to stress, it may not be a ‘quick fix’ but our dental team can discuss the option of a mouth guard to protect your teeth while this is being dealt with.

Taking action

If you notice that a tooth has become loose, don’t panic. It doesn’t necessarily indicate that you will lose the tooth. The first thing that you should do is to call us and let us know what is happening. We will be able to offer advice on how to protect it until you can see us to have it checked. It might be tempting, but, once you have noticed the loose tooth, the one thing that you should NOT do is to continue poking at it with your fingers or your tongue. This will only worsen the situation.

Avoid eating harder foods that require the use of the tooth. We will try to see you as soon as we can so a little patience and the eating of soft foods will help to protect the tooth in the meantime.

Saving a loose tooth

Whether a tooth that has become loose can be saved or not depends on a number of factors and we will need to examine the tooth thoroughly before a decision can be made. Where gum disease is the issue, we can professionally clean the area and offer personal cleaning advice to help your oral health. This may stabilise the tooth in some situations. If the tooth has been hit by a ball or elbow but is undamaged apart from being loose, we may be able to support the tooth while the tissues around it heal.

In some cases though, the damage may be too significant and the tooth falling out naturally or being extracted may be the only realistic option available. If this happens, our Wickford dentists will be able to discuss replacement options such as dental implants or dentures to replace the lost tooth.

On the whole then, making sure that you brush and floss your teeth and see a dentist on a regular basis means that the risk of loose teeth through infection and gum disease is less likely. Whatever the cause though, please do contact the Cygnet Dental Practice as soon as you notice the issue so that we can discuss the best way forward and resolve the problem. You can call our receptionists on 01268 733078.