The loss of a permanent tooth is unchangeable and irreversible. Once a tooth is lost, it cannot be regenerated. If your tooth moves more than 1 millimeter, it may indicate underlying dental issues or trauma that requires immediate attention from a dentist. Our experienced specialists at Bunn Family Dentistry will determine the reason for your loose tooth and recommend treatment to save it or alternate care choices.
Can a Loose Permanent Tooth Tighten Back Up?
It depends on what caused your tooth to become loose. If a minor injury causes your tooth to become looser over time, it will heal on its own. A severely loose tooth, on the other hand (which moves even when lightly touched), necessitates a dental visit.
Depending on the severity of the damage, your dentist may use either a temporary or permanent splint (a kind of resin) to stabilize your wiggling tooth. The loose tooth is fastened to healthy surrounding teeth on either side with the splint, giving it additional support so that it does not shift.
What Causes a Loose Permanent Tooth?
Your permanent tooth can become loose due to:
- Gum Disease (Periodontitis): Gum infection is referred to as periodontitis when it damages the gum tissues, causing them to recede. If left untreated, it can cause your teeth to come loose. Bacteria and tartar build-up from gum disease can also harm the tooth roots and bone, causing your tooth to wiggle.
- Trauma/Injury: If the tooth root and surrounding gums are damaged as a result of an injury to your mouth, your teeth may become loose.
- Osteoporosis (Weakening of Bones): If you have osteoporosis, your jawbone (which supports and holds your teeth) may become less dense, allowing your tooth to move.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal imbalances during pregnancy can affect the bones and ligaments in your mouth that hold your teeth and loosen them.
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Stress, clenching or grinding puts pressure on your teeth, causing them to loosen over time.
- Medications: Calcium is necessary for strong and healthy bones, but certain medicines, such as bisphosphonates and phenytoin, cause your body to reject it. Prolonged use of these medications can cause your teeth to weaken and loosen.
- Diabetes: Gum disease can be exacerbated by uncontrolled diabetes, causing your teeth to loosen.
How to Prevent Loose Permanent Tooth
Here are some ways to reduce your risk of having a loose permanent tooth:
- Practice good oral hygiene to ensure better dental health throughout your life
- Make an appointment with your dentist for checkups and cleanings on a regular basis
- Try not to smoke or chew tobacco since it might lead to gum disease.
- Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels.
- Wear a mouthguard while sleeping or engaging in sports activities to prevent tooth damage.
How Do We Treat a Loose Tooth at Bunn Family Dentistry?
At Bunn Family Dentistry, we will treat your loose tooth with any of the following treatment options, depending on the severity of your condition and how early it is diagnosed:
- Scaling and Root Planing – A deep cleaning procedure that treats and reverses gum disease by removing plaque and tartar
- Antibiotics or Antiseptic Mouth Rinses – Helps heal infected gums while destroying bacteria in the mouth
- Surgery – Removing inflamed or damaged tissue and reattaching gums to fit around the tooth
- Bone Grafts – Removing small fragments of bone from one part of your body and grafting them in your jaw to rebuild the bone lost to gum disease
- Gum Grafts/Soft Tissue Grafts – Removing soft tissue and implanting them in places where gums have receded because of periodontitis
