Just like baby teeth, permanent teeth can become loose too. There doesn’t have to be another tooth pushing down for this to happen. An injury, tooth grinding, and gum disease can affect permanent teeth. The most common reasons include gum swelling and strained periodontal ligaments. It doesn’t mean your tooth is going to fall out, but you should seek dental treatment as soon as possible to find a solution and to prevent the problem from worsening.
Treatment Options
There are a few treatments for loose permanent teeth. One of them is tooth splinting, in which a splint is bonded to the enamel surface of the affected tooth and to that of an adjacent one that’s stable. This allows the area to heal and the tooth to eventually tighten up. Another treatment option is a mouth guard, which protects your teeth if you grind them at night.
If gum disease is the underlying problem, a deep cleaning can eliminate pockets of bacteria that may cause infection between the gum and tooth, which can loosen it. After the cleaning and plaque and calculus are removed, it should tighten up once the gums are healthy again.
Changing the biting forces in the mouth can help a loose tooth heal. A dentist can file and reshape it or the ones next to it, so the biting surfaces are altered. Splints are more often used for extensive looseness. A permanent solution for more serious cases is to crown loose and stable teeth, and fuse them together.
It’s Up to You to Save Loose Teeth
By making a dental appointment as soon as possible, you can avoid losing a tooth that has become loose. Choosing the right treatment option helps. You also need to wear any occlusal night guards provided and follow a dentist’s oral health advice. Otherwise, the cause of the problem won’t be addressed. Professional dental care and regular oral hygiene are important in restoring your oral health.
Don’t assume the worst once you notice the problem. Extractions aren’t usually necessary if gum disease, trauma, or grinding can be treated. It may take some ongoing dental care, but the loose tooth can tighten up on its own. There’s usually a specific reason for it, which your dentist will find by thoroughly examining you; once they have a visual look, radiographs, and conclusive evidence of the problem, they will immediately recommend the best treatment option for you.
