Loose Teeth & Bite Problems
As a child, your first loose tooth comes with a celebration, but as an adult it does not. Biting and chewing with a tooth that is loose and not securely attached in its socket can be painful, and any adult tooth that becomes loose is at risk of being removed or even falling out. It is often possible to prevent that from happening, but prompt attention on your behalf is required.
Common Causes of Loose Teeth
The most frequent cause for loose teeth is periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the gum or bone tissues that surround and support your teeth. The infection is the result of bacterial plaque that is allowed to buildup on your teeth from poor oral hygiene. Periodontal disease will cause the gum tissue to detach from the teeth as plaque increases and tooth-supporting bone is lost. As more bone is lost, the teeth can become loose and create bite problems.
Another common cause for loose teeth is a grinding or clenching habit that generates aggressive force. This force can stretch the periodontal ligaments that attach the teeth to the supporting bone, resulting in loose teeth. These habits can accelerate bone loss and cause jaw pain and excessive tooth wear.
Treatments for Loose Teeth
The causes of loose teeth can be biological, a disease, or mechanical, too much force, or even both, so there are different treatments.
To control gum disease, a biological cause, your dentist must thoroughly clean your teeth of plaque in which bacteria thrive. This includes the tooth-root surfaces beneath the gum line. You will be advised on effective oral hygiene techniques and products to use at home. Quite often this professional cleaning, combined with your improved oral hygiene, will allow the gums to heal causing some tightening of the teeth.
The mechanical approach addresses the forces being applied to the teeth. An occlusal, or bite, adjustment can be performed by carefully reshaping tiny amounts of tooth surface enamel. This changes how the upper and lower teeth contact each other, distributing and lessening the force. Replacing broken fillings and restoring worn teeth is also necessary to create a balanced bite.
It is also possible to reduce stress on teeth by temporarily splinting them together so that any biting force is shared with a group of teeth rather than individual loose tooth. The splint is an exceedingly small metal bracket bonded to the backs of the teeth.
If clenching or grinding habits are a problem, a custom-made bite guard, also called an occlusal splint, can be worn when needed. Placed in your mouth at night or in times of stress, it can protect the teeth from too much biting force. This will also help in preventing excessive tooth wear, and also in relieving jaw pain.
Loose teeth can be successfully treated with either biological or mechanical techniques. A thorough examination will be needed to determine the best approach. If you are experiencing loose teeth, do not wait, schedule an appointment soon, so you can protect and keep your natural teeth.