While a loose tooth is usually nothing
to worry about, there are a few things
you should know.
Accompanying
Symptoms
An adult losing a tooth will likely
exhibit other symptoms, such as gum
recession or redness and swelling.
If you have a loose tooth, don't assume
that it's due to poor dental hygiene.
In fact, a loose tooth is often completely
unrelated to how well you take care
of your teeth.
Having said that, problems with
your gums could very well be a sign
of an underlying condition.
Reasons For
a Loose Tooth
The most common reason of a loose
tooth is gum disease.
When gums become inflamed,
they can pull away from the teeth
and cause the roots to become exposed.
Other reasons for a loose tooth include:
• Trauma to the mouth
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Braces or other dental appliances
• Infection
What to Do If You
Have a Loose Tooth
If you have a loose tooth, you must
see your dentist right away.
They'll examine and figure out the
cause of the problem and recommend
the best course of treatment.
In the meantime, there's a handful of things
you can do to ease your discomfort and keep
the tooth as healthy as possible:
• Use a cold compress to the area
to reduce swelling
• Take over-the-counter pain
medication if necessary
• Gently floss around the tooth
• Avoid hard or crunchy foods
• Brush your teeth gently
• Do not try to wiggle or pull the
tooth on your own
Treatment Options
for a Loose Tooth
Once we’ve examined your mouth,
we’ll explain the best course
of treatment.
If the tooth is too damaged to be
saved, we may recommend extraction.
A loose tooth can be replaced with an
implant or bridge in some scenarios.
Extraction
If your loose tooth is due to gum disease,
we may prescribe an oral medication
or rinse.
These can help to reduce the
inflammation and bacteria in the gums.
Oral Medication/Rinse
In some cases, braces can stabilize
a loose tooth.
This is usually only recommended
for children or teenagers.
Braces
If you have a habit of clenching or grinding
your teeth, we may recommend a custom
dental appliance.
This will help to protect your teeth
and prevent further damage.
Dental Appliance
If your gums have receded, you may
need a soft tissue graft.
This involves taking tissue from
another area of the mouth and
attaching it to the gums.
Soft Tissue Graft
If you have lost bone due to periodontal
disease, you may need a bone graft.
This involves using bone from another
part of the body or synthetic bone
to replace the lost bone.
Bone Graft
Preventive Measures
The best way to prevent a loose tooth
is to regularly practice good oral
hygiene habits and see your dentist.
Brushing twice a day, flossing daily,
and using mouthwash will keep your
mouth healthy and reduce the risk
of gum disease.
Coming to our office every six months
for a cleaning and checkup is crucial.
This will allow us to catch any
problems early and recommend
treatment if necessary.
If you are seeking professional
dental advice, it's time to call your
Chandler Dentist.
Our Chandler dentists will ask you questions,
examine you, and determine exactly what
needs to be done to get you back to normal.
Chandler, AZ 85286
+1 888-414-1852
thebestchandlerdentist@gmail.com
dentist-chandler.com