Loose Teeth & Bite Problems
We cheer for a child when they lose their first tooth, but we do not at all celebrate when an adult does the same. The natural efforts of biting and chewing with a loose tooth can create quite a bit of discomfort, and an adult tooth that becomes loose in its socket is at risk of needing to be extracted or even falling out. If you visit your dentist promptly you can prevent this from happening.
Common Causes of Loose Teeth
The most frequent and common cause for loose teeth is periodontal disease, or gum disease. This is a bacterial infection of the tissues that surround, encompass, and support each tooth. The infection is a result of the plaque that builds up on your teeth from neglect and poor oral hygiene. Gum disease will cause the soft tissue to pull away from the teeth as the bacteria-carrying plaque increases and the tooth-supporting ligaments and bone deteriorates. When the ligaments detach and supporting bone is lost, the teeth will then become loose and create serious bite problems.
Another frequent cause for loose teeth is a clenching and grinding habit that generates aggressive force. This pressure will stretch the periodontal ligaments that connect the teeth to the supporting bone, which results in loose teeth.
Any unfortunate oral injury such as an unexpected fall, accident, or sports-related injury can cause sudden loose teeth and bite problems. Loose teeth can also be the result of a shift in hormones during a pregnancy.
Treatments for Loose Teeth
Loose teeth can be also caused by a biological reason, such as a disease, or a mechanical reason, like too much force, or both, so there are different treatments available.
To treat gum disease, a biological cause, your dentist will professionally clean your teeth and roots to remove the plaque in which bacteria thrive. You will receive instructions on basic but effective oral hygiene techniques and products to use at home. Most often this thorough cleaning, complimented by your improved efforts, will quickly allow the gums to heal which will restore the ligaments and tighten the loose teeth.
The treatment for mechanical reasons addresses the added pressures being applied to your teeth. A bite adjustment, or an occlusal, can be performed by simply removing tiny amounts of enamel on the biting surface. This distributes the forces evenly across all the teeth. Worn dental fillings can be replaced as well as restoring worn teeth to create a balanced bite.
Another treatment is a temporary splint between two teeth to reduce stress on certain teeth so that the biting force is shared with a group of teeth instead of a single loose tooth. The splint is a small metal bracket cemented to the backs of a few teeth.
If grinding or clenching habits are a problem, a custom-designed bite guard can be worn when advised. Worn at night or in times of stress, it can reduce and protect the teeth from the unwanted pressure. This will help prevent excessive tooth wear and prevent jaw pain.
Loose teeth and bite problems can both be successfully treated with simple techniques. Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination to identify the problem and determine the best treatment. If you think you might have loose teeth, schedule an appointment soon, so you can proactively address the cause and protect your natural teeth.