Do you associate a loose tooth with the tooth fairy and finding some money or a treat under your pillow? That kind of memory could be the reason why a loose tooth doesn’t cause concern for some people.
It’s true that there may be no need for alarm, but it costs very little to have it checked out. It’s also important because it could be something which needs a bit of professional attention.
Our teeth are each held in place by bone and soft tissue. This can sometimes be damaged or diseased, so the support breaks down and allows our tooth or teeth to move. Day to day eating can make it worse, and of course a loose tooth will make it easier for bacteria to invade the gum, leading to gum disease.
What other signs are a cause for concern?
There may be blood when you brush, or your gums may swell. You may not notice, but your gums could be a different colour, reddened rather than a healthy pink.
Skipping routine appointments with your dentist or oral hygienist may seem to make sense at the time. Life is busy and often far more interesting than sitting in the dentist’s chair! But if we allow plaque then tartar to make a home in our mouths, then we’re also letting in bacteria. Timely intervention by a professional puts us back on track and hopefully ensures any sign of disease is detected and dealt with before it becomes untreatable.
What are the causes?
In addition to missed appointments at your dental surgery, not brushing and flossing correctly, and/or not brusing and flossing regularly. Tartar builds up from plaque, which carries bacteria and builds up underneath the gums.
What will my dentist do to treat my loose tooth?
If your dentist can measure that the space between your teeth and gums is more than 3 mm, an xray will be necessary to check for loss of bone. Potentially, you will need to have your teeth deep cleaned – scale and root planing – to remove any plaque which has formed, hopefully before it develops into tartar. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if there is any infection.
What other treatments might be necessary?
Fortunately, there is a variety of ways to help restore your oral health. These include:
Flap surgery to pull back the gum, which is then reattached after scaling and root planing.
Bone grafting, using bone from another part of your body to replace diseased bone and support the teeth properly.
Bonding – To join two teeth for better support.
Bite adjustment – to reshape the tooth’s surface by removing tiny amounts of enamel. (Most suitable if the cause is tooth grinding.)
Implants or bridges – Usually in the case of extremely loose teeth.
A mouth guard may be another solution for teeth grinding, worn whilst sleeping, so that the upper and lower teeth do not make contact.
The best advice anyone can give is to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice a tooth is loose. This will give you the best possible chance to avoid surgery, lengthy courses of treatment and the associated cost in the future.
If you are very nervous about visiting a dentist, then make sure you tell the staff. Dentistry has come a long way, and recognises that some of us have anxieties and even fear about treatment. There are ways you can be helped and your confidence in your dental professional can be restored.
