What to do if you have a loose tooth?

However, if you have pain, sore and swollen gums or loose teeth, it could be a sign of tooth loss or periodontitis, a disease that affects the tissue that holds the tooth in place.

A tooth can also become loose after an accident. If the tooth has been loosened a little, there’s a good chance it will grow back on its own. You should contact your dentist if the tooth has been abused, as there is a risk that the tooth may not be able to grow back.

Loose teeth should always be taken very seriously and you should always contact your dentist if you have loose teeth.

A loose tooth can mean tooth loss

Tooth loosening, or periodontitis, is a disease that affects the tissue that holds the tooth in place. The disease has a slow development phase and symptoms often appear in the later stages. Therefore, it is always important to work on oral hygiene and dental care as a preventative measure. Symptoms of periodontal disease can include pain, swollen and tender gums, changes in the gums between the teeth or loose teeth. If one or more of these symptoms is consistent with your condition, you should contact your dentist for a check-up.

Periodontitis is a serious infection of the gums. It is caused by bacteria that have become lodged in the teeth and gums. As periodontitis progresses, your bones and teeth can be damaged. But if periodontitis is treated early and proper oral hygiene is maintained, the damage can be prevented.

Inflammation (gingivitis)

Periodontitis begins with an inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. One of the first signs of gingivitis is bleeding gums when you brush or floss.

You may also notice some discolouration of your teeth. This is called plaque. Plaque is a build-up of bacteria and food debris on your teeth. Although bacteria are always present in your mouth, they only become harmful when conditions allow them to increase dramatically. This can happen if you don’t brush or floss, or if you don’t have regular dental cleanings.

Early periodontal disease

In the early stages of periodontitis, the gums recede, or pull back from the teeth and small pockets form between the gums and teeth. These pockets harbour harmful bacteria. Your immune system tries to fight off the infection and the gum tissue begins to recede. You are also likely to experience bleeding while brushing and flossing and possibly some bone loss.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

If you develop moderate periodontal disease, you may experience bleeding and pain around your teeth and gum loss. Your teeth start to lose their bone support and become loose. The infection can also lead to an inflammatory reaction throughout your body.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

The connective tissue that holds your teeth in place begins to deteriorate. The gums, bone and other tissues that support your teeth are destroyed. If you have advanced periodontitis, you may experience severe pain when chewing, severe bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth. You are likely to lose your teeth.

Loose tooth after an accident

If you’ve been hit by an object or your jaws have been clenched tightly together, one or more teeth may be damaged. Dental injuries can include a knocked tooth, fractured tooth, impacted tooth or loose tooth. Read below for guidelines on accidents caused by loose teeth.

Accident – The tooth is just a little loose

If the tooth has been just a little loose, there is a good chance it will grow back, assuming it is still in place. Leave the tooth alone and avoid putting too much stress on it. The gums may bleed a little and the teeth may be sore. Report the damage to your insurance company and feel free to consult your dentist about treatment.

Accident – The tooth is too loose

If the tooth has been abused, there is an increased risk that the tooth will not be able to heal itself. Contact your dentist immediately. X-rays will be taken in the dentist’s office to determine the extent of the damage. Either the dentist will put the tooth back in its proper place and fix it with a wire to the back of the tooth. The tooth is then expected to grow back and heal itself. If the tooth has been knocked well to one side, the roots may have been damaged, in which case a root canal may be needed. An undeveloped root is more likely to survive without a root canal than a fully developed root.

Will the tooth come loose if the filling comes loose?

Sometimes a tooth feels loose, but when you try to move it, you find that it is stuck tightly. Why does this happen? It could be a loose filling. Or it could be a filling that is still there, but has come loose a little. Indications that a filling has come loose include a tingling and burning sensation. Because it’s harder to clean if a filling has come loose, your gums may also look a little irritated. Contact your dentist for an examination.

Can a tooth extraction make neighbouring teeth loose?

If you have had a tooth extracted at the dentist, it can affect how your neighbouring teeth feel. It may feel like the neighbouring teeth are loose, but this is usually not the case. If you perceive the neighbouring teeth as really loose, you should visit the dentist who can check the condition.

Can clenching/grinding of teeth lead to tooth loss?

If you grind or clench your teeth during sleep, your teeth may become sore, which may be perceived as being loose. But it could also be that your teeth are under tension (clenching/grinding) which causes them to jerk a little from their position. When the pressure is removed, the teeth may become less loose. We recommend that you see a dentist who can examine your teeth more thoroughly.

Can orthodontics cause loose teeth?

When teeth are moved by orthodontic methods, it is common for teeth to become slightly loose. Once treatment is completed, the teeth will grow back into place. If you think your teeth are abnormally loose, you should speak to the orthodontist who helped you.

Is it normal for teeth to be loose during growth?

Both baby teeth and permanent teeth can be a little loose as they grow. This is normal and they will become more and more fixed as they grow. If your tooth wobbles every time you bite down, you should see your dentist.

Make an appointment for a check-up

Make an appointment to have your teeth checked by a dentist. Loose teeth should always be taken very seriously and we are happy to help.

Book an appointment to have your teeth checked by a dentist. Loose teeth should always be taken very seriously and we are happy to help.

Missing tooth

One or more missing teeth, can and should be replaced with dental bridges or implants.

This is to prevent further damage to surrounding and opposing teeth.

When a tooth has the ability to move, it moves, and sometimes with undesirable results, such as receding teeth or rocking teeth. This, in turn, can lead to further tooth loss.