Does your adult tooth feel wiggly or loose? It’s natural that a situation like this makes you feel worried about your dental well-being and complete tooth loss. You are not alone in this. In fact, many adults are caught off guard by their loose tooth. This might occur due to trauma or underlying dental issues.
Read this blog to learn how to deal with this particular situation and how prompt actions can help you save your tooth.
Why Do Adult Teeth Get Loose?
Here are some reasons why your adult teeth might feel loose:
Plaque causes inflammation, which destroys the bone and tissue that keep teeth in place.
- A blow to your mouth because of sports, accidents, or biting down on something hard might loosen your tooth.
- Grinding or clenching your teeth wears away the supporting structures, damaging the stability of your tooth.
- Diabetes and osteoporosis affect bone health, which makes teeth more susceptible to decay and loss.
- Failing to floss or brushing too rapidly allows bacteria to grow, attacking the gums and bone.
What Should You Do First?
Here are some actions that you can perform to protect your loose tooth before seeing a dentist:
- Try not to wiggle your already loose tooth. Excess movement can make your problem worse.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods. Consume soft foods and chew on the side with healthy teeth.
- Brush and floss lightly, but don’t push anything around the loose tooth.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to soothe inflamed gums and kill bacteria.
- Don’t use dental glue or any other such material to keep the tooth in place. It can do you more harm than good.
What Can the Dentist Do?
Dentists are prepared and trained to handle emergencies like a loose adult tooth. Here are some treatment procedures that they might use:
- Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing): Removes tartar and plaque beneath the gumline, allowing your gums to reattach.
- Splinting: They can cement the loose tooth to the surrounding teeth for stability while healing.
- Bite Adjustment: Has misalignment or teeth grinding loosened your teeth? The professionals can provide orthodontic treatment or nightguards..
- Surgical Options: In severe cases, surgeries can rebuild your lost tissue or bone if necessary.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
It’s easy to wish for a loose tooth to tighten up on its own. Regrettably, ignoring the issue seldom works out. Here’s what can go wrong:
- Tooth Loss: The most apparent risk is that your loose tooth can fall out, or you might need to undergo a complete extraction.
- Spread of Infection: If your tooth loses its stability due to gum disease, then the infection might spread to other healthy teeth without treatment.
- You might need simpler treatments during the initial stages. As your condition worsens, you might need more complex treatments.
A loose adult tooth is a wake-up call that your oral health needs attention and care. If you act promptly, practice good oral hygiene, and work closely with the dentist, you can typically save your tooth and maintain your overall health. Teeth are not meant to move once you get your permanent teeth.
Do your teeth feel a bit wiggly? Schedule a consultation today to get yourself checked.
