Loose Teeth: Causes, treatments and How to Fix Them

Having a loose tooth as an adult can be unsettling and alarming. While it is normal for kids to lose their baby teeth, it is not normal for adults to lose their teeth. They are indicators that something is not right with their oral cavity.  

However, the good news is that there are many ways to fix the condition of loose teeth and save teeth. This blog discusses the various causes and overview options for loose teeth treatment.  

Why do teeth become loose?

Teeth become loose when their supporting structures weaken and can no longer adequately support them. These structures include the gums, bone, and thin ligament fibers that attach the tooth to the bone. Damage to any of these structures destroys them, forming pockets in the gums and loosening the teeth.  

Loose teeth wiggle when excessive or even regular forces are applied. These further damage the supporting structures, leading to increased damage. Swollen, red gums, pulling back of gums called recession, food accumulation leading to dental plaque formation, and teeth discoloration are other symptoms of loose teeth.  

Loose teeth factors:

Various factors cause loose teeth. Having an idea about the cause is essential for loose teeth treatment planning. They are:

• Gum or periodontal diseases can cause infections of the gums and their supporting structures, leading to weak and loose teeth. Some diseases, such as diabetes, can weaken the supporting structures due to periodontal diseases, leading to loose teeth.  
• Trauma from sports, accidents, or blunt injuries can damage the supporting structures, such as teeth. Abnormal tooth position can also put excess pressure on the teeth, leading to tooth loosening.  
• Abnormal occlusal forces due to irregularly aligned teeth or excessive biting forces can also lead to loose teeth. Even regular forces on teeth that have lost the supporting structures cause loose teeth.  
• Jaw tumors pressurize the jaw and its supporting structures, loosening teeth. Bone diseases like osteoporosis weaken the bone structure and lead to defective bone formation, depriving the teeth of support.  
• Pregnancy and menstruation cause hormonal changes in the body. These changes can temporarily damage the ligament fibers, leading to teeth loosening.  
• Dental procedures such as ortho braces, which move the teeth to a new position, also temporarily loosen the teeth.  

What are Loose teeth complications:

Loose teeth can lead to complications such as abnormal chewing and biting patterns and excessive pressure on adjacent teeth, damaging adjacent teeth and sometimes causing pain.  

Loose teeth treatment:

Loose teeth treatment depends on multiple factors that cause loosening. There are various effective options for loose teeth treatment. Identifying the root cause of teeth loosening can help manage the condition.  

Bite correction: This procedure reduces the stress on the tooth under excess pressure. It reshapes the tooth to minimize contact with the opposing tooth and to reduce damage to the supporting tooth structures. Occlusal splints can also avoid abnormal contact with the opposing teeth and correct the bite.  

• Occlusal splints are advised for individuals with abnormal biting habits, such as night grinding or clenching teeth, to reduce the abnormal forces on the teeth and prevent loose teeth. Braces can also be used for loose teeth treatment to reposition the teeth and reduce abnormal forces.  

Teeth splinting: A dentist connects some loose teeth with damaged supporting structures to healthy teeth with a thin wire or dental cement. This method of connecting the loose teeth is called teeth splinting. It stabilizes the damaged teeth and gives the damaged supporting structures a chance to recover.  

• Teeth splinting can be temporary or permanent, depending on the condition of loose teeth. In temporary teeth splinting, joining is done by binding a wire or cement on the outside of the loose teeth. Sometimes, a small hole is drilled through the teeth to splint them.  
• In permanent teeth splinting, crowns or bridges join and support the loose teeth.  

Non-surgical periodontal therapies: Scaling and root planning are some non-surgical treatments that remove tartar and bacterial deposits on the teeth, gums, and supporting structures to reduce infection and inflammation, improve healing, and stabilize the teeth.  

Surgical periodontal therapies: Osseous surgery can correct severe cases of tooth loosening. This procedure removes deep infections in the gums and bone, increasing tooth support. Grafting can also correct loose teeth.  

Altering the medications: Some medicines that destroy the ligaments and bone surrounding the teeth can be replaced with those that do not cause damage.  

Trauma correction: Wires can stabilize the teeth between the upper and lower jaw.  

Disease management: Tumor removal is the treatment for loose teeth caused by tumors. Regular dental cleanings and controlling blood sugar levels can also improve loose teeth caused by diseases such as diabetes.  

How to prevent loose teeth:

Loose teeth prevention is easier than one expects. It starts with good oral health. Following a few simple tips can help prevent loose teeth.  

• Brush and floss twice a day for healthy gums and teeth.  
• Avoid smoking, pan, and gutka chewing that damage the supporting structures.  
• Get regular dental checkups from the dentist to identify the issues early and get them fixed.  
• Keep blood sugar levels under control by dieting and regular exercise.  

Conclusion:

Caring for gums and teeth is the key to preventing loose teeth in adults. Following a solid at-home care routine and managing underlying disease conditions help prevent loose teeth. Individuals can take care of loose teeth at home by brushing their teeth with a soft bristle brush twice a day, rinsing after every meal, and keeping other metabolic diseases like diabetes under control.  

Loose teeth do not necessarily translate to extraction. Loose teeth treatment is a very viable option to save wobbly teeth. However, early diagnosis is key to the success of saving loose teeth. Loose teeth can make one anxious and give a sense of weirdness, as adult teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Hence, everyone should take proper care to keep them strong and secure.