Can a Loose Tooth Fix Itself?
While it’s normal for children to have loose primary teeth, if you’re an adult and one of your secondary, or permanent, teeth is loose, this is usually a sign that something is wrong. The teeth are designed to be flexible, held in place by periodontal ligaments that secure the teeth while supporting the forces exerted on them by biting and chewing, but if your teeth wiggle beyond a millimeter, see your dentist. If you have a tooth that is significantly loose, which can happen in the case of trauma or injury, it may be a good idea to seek emergency medical or dental attention, especially if the tooth and surrounding area are painful. Less significant loosening can usually be addressed with regular dental care. In either case, a loose tooth won’t fix itself, but with prompt professional attention, the tooth may be able to be saved and the dentition may be able to be restored to its stable, secure state.
The most frequently noted causes of loose adult teeth are injury or trauma to the mouth, and gum disease. If you have a loose tooth that was caused by facial trauma or injury, which could happen in contact sports, falls, or accidents, see your dentist as soon as you can. If your tooth is only slightly loose, the dentist may determine that the tooth will tighten back up as the area heals. This usually takes a few weeks and requires care and attention; it’s important to avoid chewing with the affected tooth or teeth, and it’s also important to monitor the situation and inform your dentist if the tooth remains loose, loosens more, or falls out. Only a dental professional can determine whether a loose tooth caused by trauma or injury will require treatment, however, so prompt dental attention is imperative. If your tooth or teeth have been severely loosened or knocked out, your dentist will review your treatment options with you and plan the proper treatment accordingly.
As gum disease progresses, it affects all the tissues in the oral cavity, weakening and damaging gum tissue and connective ligaments and destroying the bone that supports the teeth in the jaws. This advanced gum disease is known as periodontitis, and when left unaddressed, it can cause the teeth to loosen and eventually fall out. If your teeth feel weak or loose, especially after brushing or flossing, this could be a sign that you have gum disease. With the proper treatment, the gums can ofiten be restored to health and the loose tooth or teeth may be saved, and the sooner gum disease is treated, the greater the likelihood of restoring the health and integrity of the oral cavity and saving the teeth. Gum disease affects millions of Americans, and effective treatment options are plentiful; again, however, only a dentist can diagnose and treat gum disease, so see your dentist if you experience any looseness or wiggling in your teeth after brushing or flossing, or if you experience more general tooth looseness and can’t pinpoint the cause.
The first step in treating a loose tooth is determining its cause. Once your dentist has made a diagnosis, they will discuss possible treatment options with you, with the goal of preventing further damage and preserving the teeth. Gum disease can be treated with dental deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, which can help the gums reattach to the teeth and restore their secure connection. Dentists also rely on surgical techniques to repair bone and replace damaged or missing teeth, and there are multiple ancillary treatments that can prevent the teeth from loosening again, so make sure to see your dentist if you’re experiencing a loose secondary tooth. While it may get better on its own, only a dentist can know for sure, and only a dentist can provide treatments when they’re needed.