Causes of Loose Teeth
Tooth loss can happen to you at any age, which can then create a negative impact on your perceived self-esteem and self-confidence. It can lead to you hiding your smile, feeling embarrassed and unsatisfied. Tooth loss usually starts after something causes the tooth to detach itself from the jawbone.
It is an unpleasant situation to have loose teeth as adult. The two most frequent causes of loose teeth are gum disease or a traumatic injury to your mouth.
The Most Common Causes of Loose Teeth
There can be several internal or external factors that can lead to having a loose tooth. Frequent causes are usually poor dental health, an oral trauma or injury, or underlying overall health conditions. Dental trauma from a fall, a sports related injury, or an accident is one of the most common causes of loose teeth.
* Gum Disease- The primary and most frequent common cause of loose teeth is untreated gum disease. During the first stage of gum disease, or gingivitis, you will encounter swollen and bleeding gums. This is most often painless, therefore goes unnoticed, and the longer it goes untreated, it will then progress to periodontitis, the next stage. Periodontitis is a serious gum disease that will result in severe irritation, inflammation, and the bleeding of your gums. As the disease and infection advances, your gum tissue will decay, pull away from your teeth, and inevitably cause loose teeth.
* Tooth Trauma- Unexpected tooth trauma can quickly cause a loose tooth. For a minor injury, it may take a few days for the tooth to loosen and even fall out. For more severe trauma caused by an accident, it could have an immediate impact. The loosening is from the damage inflicted on the supportive periodontal ligaments that connect each tooth to your jawbone. The medical condition called bruxism, which is the constant grinding and clenching of your teeth, can also cause loose teeth.
* Pregnancy Hormones- A women during pregnancy can sometimes experience loose teeth from the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in her body. These hormones will cause the teeth to loosen ever so slightly and move. This situation is temporary and usually does not lead to tooth loss.
* Osteoporosis- Another common cause for loose teeth can be osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones in your body lose mass, weaken, atrophy, and lose density. Loose teeth can occur when the bone integrity around the jaw diminishes. If you have osteoporosis, you are more at risk of loose teeth than normal.
There are more reasons why a tooth might loosen. Teeth are designed to naturally move slightly. All teeth will move because of the supporting structure of periodontal ligament fibers. These fibers are wrapped around the root and maintain the position of the tooth in the socket. If you experience noticeable loosening it is a sign of concern. Schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination soon to identify the cause of your loose teeth and if prompt treatment is beneficial.
Exercising good, daily oral hygiene is essential in preventing loose teeth by avoiding gum disease. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Complement your efforts by scheduling a preventative examination with your dentist and consistent dental cleanings every six months.