Addressing Loose Teeth: Causes and Treatment at Schaefer Dental Group
When you are a child, your first loose tooth can be cause for celebration; when you are an adult, it definitely is not. Any tooth that becomes loose is at risk of needing to be removed or, at worst, falling out. It’s often possible to prevent that from happening, but quick action is required. Schaefer Dental Group can diagnose and treat the causes of loose teeth in Lansing, Michigan.
Common Causes of Tooth Looseness
Tooth looseness is typically caused by biological factors (disease) or mechanical factors (force), or both:
- Periodontal Disease: This is the most common reason. It is a bacterial infection of the gum and bone tissues that support your teeth, resulting from plaque buildup. Over time, the infection leads to gum tissue detachment and loss of tooth-supporting bone, causing teeth to become loose.
- Clenching or Grinding (Bruxism): This habit generates too much biting force, which can stretch the periodontal ligaments that join the teeth to the supporting bone, making them looser. This habit can also accelerate bone loss and cause jaw pain and excessive tooth wear.
Treatment Approaches for Loose Teeth
Treatment involves addressing both the biological and mechanical causes:
1. Biological Approach (Controlling Disease)
To control gum disease, a dental professional must thoroughly clean the teeth of plaque and harder deposits (tartar or calculus) in which bacteria thrive, including the tooth-root surfaces beneath the gum line. This deep cleaning, combined with improved at-home oral hygiene, will often reduce inflammation and heal the gums enough to cause some tightening of the teeth.
2. Mechanical Approach (Modifying Force)
This approach involves modifying the forces applied to the teeth:
- Bite Adjustment: This can be performed by carefully reshaping minute amounts of tooth surface enamel to change the way upper and lower teeth contact each other, redirecting and lessening the force. Replacing broken fillings and restoring worn teeth may also be needed.
- Splinting: Teeth can be temporarily or permanently splinted together with a small metal bracket bonded to the backs of the teeth. This distributes any biting force among groups of teeth rather than individual loosened teeth.
- Bite Guard: If clenching or grinding habits are a problem, a custom-made occlusal splint (night guard) can be worn when needed to protect the teeth from the consequences of too much biting force, which can also help relieve jaw pain.
A thorough examination will be needed to determine the best approach. So if you are experiencing tooth looseness, don’t wait—the sooner this problem is addressed, the more likely you are to keep your natural teeth.