Permanent Tooth Feels Loose
Of course, it’s common for children to have loose primary teeth, and the first time a child loses a tooth could be considered a rite of passage in many cultures. When a permanent tooth is loose, though, either in an adolescent or an adult, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. Permanent teeth can loosen because of gum disease and improper oral hygiene, chronic grinding or clenching of the teeth, injury or impact to the mouth or face, and even because of the hormone surges that occur during pregnancy. Sometimes, a permanent tooth that feels loose might tighten back up on its own, but it’s always recommended to see a dentist if you have or think you have a loose permanent tooth; even if it will get better on its own, it takes a professional evaluation to determine this and to provide recommendations for efficient, effective healing.
The teeth are held in place within the bone of the jaw, secured by a system of connective ligaments and gum tissue that are designed to support the teeth and cushion the forces of biting and chewing. When the structures that support a tooth within the oral cavity are compromised and the tissues and ligaments are infected or damaged, the tooth may start to detach from the bone and from the gum and feel loose. A loose tooth may be more noticeable while eating, brushing, or flossing, and it may be accompanied by bleeding, swelling, or recession of the gum tissue. The appropriate treatment for each loose tooth will depend on the cause.
When the permanent teeth feel loose because of advanced gum disease, this is a sign that the gums have begun to pull away from the teeth, allowing harmful bacteria to enter the oral tissues and colonize, continuing to do damage to the oral tissues. If left untreated, loose teeth caused by advanced gum disease will usually fall out eventually. When treated promptly, however, gum disease can often be reversed, and any looseness that is perceived in the teeth will subside as the gums return to health. The best way to prevent gum disease and to keep it from spreading is with effective daily oral hygiene and periodic professional checkups and cleanings. Brush your teeth at least twice daily with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, clean between the teeth daily with floss or a water irrigator, and visit your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings. The calcified plaque that can accumulate on the teeth and along the gum line often remains with even the most attentive brushing and flossing and can only be removed by a professional in a clinical setting, and this calcified plaque is the primary culprit in the development and progression of gum disease.
A permanent tooth might also feel loose because of an impact to the face, which could result from an accident, a fall, contact sports, and acts of violence. Habitually or unconsciously clenching or grinding the teeth, a condition called bruxism, can also damage the connective ligaments and cause the teeth to feel loose. When the teeth loosen during pregnancy, symptoms subside once the pregnancy has ended, but it’s still important to see your dentist for regular checkups during pregnancy so you can rule out and prevent gum disease. If a permanent tooth feels loose because of osteoporosis, a condition that arises as people age and that causes weakness or loss of density in the bones, the tooth may not be able to be saved, but in many cases, the bone can be supplemented with bone graft procedures and the tooth can be replaced with a lifelike dental implant. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can slow the effects of osteoporosis and, when combined with an effective oral hygiene routine, could help keep the teeth securely in the mouth well into old age.