Loose teeth can be worrying for adults. While it’s normal for children to lose their first set of teeth, adults don’t have second chances and it may come with secondary symptoms such as bleeding gums or gum recession. If you’re concerned about loose teeth, then we recommend you get in touch with us at Phoenix Periodontist for more information about examinations and treatments to help you fix them.
Causes of Loose Teeth in Adults
Loose teeth usually occur as a result of poor dental health or an injury. It doesn’t happen without a reason, so it’s important to look at your dental history to see what could be causing it.
Gum Disease
Gum disease occurs when you have poor dental hygiene. This can be a combination of things, such as neglecting to brush your teeth or skipping dental cleanings at a dental office. It can also occur due to poor eating habits, such as snacking on a lot of sugary items and drinking a lot of soda which gradually causes your teeth to deteriorate.
An Injury
If you’ve been injured, then it’s possible that the injury has affected the area around your mouth. For instance, if you’ve fallen and hit your jaw or something, then it could cause one of your teeth to loosen.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes high levels of progesterone and estrogen to form in the body. This temporarily causes the tissues and bones in your teeth to loosen, thus creating loose teeth. It’s important to take good care of your teeth during pregnancy and to visit your dentist for regular checkups.
Other Health Conditions
Another common cause of loose teeth is Osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones and causes them to become porous. This leads to broken bones even when there are minor bumps or impacts. This condition typically affects areas such as the spine, hip, and wrists. However, it can also affect the bones in your jaw, thus causing loose teeth.
Loose Tooth Treatments for Adults
Thankfully, there are a number of loose tooth treatments for adults.
Antimicrobial Therapy
Antimicrobial therapy aims to inhibit the growth of bacteria in your mouth. This is one of the least invasive methods of treating gum disease and works by simply eliminating bad bacteria from the mouth using antibiotics. This can help deal with symptoms such as bleeding gums and loose teeth, and even stop a receding gum line without the need for surgery.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a two-step process that helps to treat gum disease. The scaling process removes any plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Root planning then smoothes the root of the tooth and helps to reattach the gums to the teeth. This strengthens the tooth and reduces the feeling of a loose tooth.
Laser Gum Therapy
Laser gum therapy, or Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP), removes infected tissue in the mouth. It’s virtually painless and only removes infected tissue, which helps to preserve your gum line. It has a fast recovery time and is available to most patients. There’s less risk of infection because it efficiently removes any bacteria, thus reducing inflammation and reversing the effects of gum disease.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is a relatively simple process that aims to protect your teeth from the impact of gum recession. However, it can also be a cosmetic treatment. Gum grafting typically involves harvesting tissue and then attaching it to your existing gum tissue. This helps to make your gums a lot stronger which supports your loose teeth.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a procedure for situations where gum disease has been present in the mouth for a long time. The goal is to stabilize loose teeth and also improve the appearance of your gums and mouth. Bone grafting repairs dental implant sites and strengthens your jaw structure if affected by gum disease.
Dental Implants If Tooth Removal is Necessary
If your tooth needs to be removed, then we may suggest dental implants. If your gum disease is heavily affecting certain teeth, then it may be the best option in order to prevent it from affecting other teeth. In this case, you may want to consider a dental implant as a form of tooth replacement. These teeth look natural and feel exactly the same as your regular teeth. They can also last for decades with proper care, such as regular dental checkups and brushing.
Get Treatment for Loose Teeth in Phoenix
Loose teeth as an adult are a sign of potentially serious dental health problems, especially if left untreated. Schedule an appointment with a periodontist near you, Dr. Trujillo in Phoenix, AZ, for treatment.
How to Prevent Loose Teeth
If your gum disease hasn’t progressed very far then it’s possible to prevent loose teeth in the first place.
Good Oral Hygiene
Basic oral hygiene is important when it comes to preventing loose teeth. This involves brushing at least twice a day, flossing between your teeth, drinking plenty of water, and establishing a healthy diet that avoids sugary drinks and snacks.
Not Smoking
Smoking causes more dental plaque to form in the mouth and accelerates the progression of gum disease. To look after your dental health, we strongly suggest that you quit or lessen the amount that you smoke.
Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental checkups will help you examine your teeth and the condition of your gums. This will help you detect the early signs of gum disease so you can effectively prevent loose teeth and protect your dental health.
Visit a Periodontist for Loose Teeth
A periodontist can help examine your dental health and provide you with effective solutions to help you strengthen loose teeth. Everyone’s dental health situation is different, which is why we personalized solutions for every patient. Arizona Periodontal Group is led by Dr. Trujillo, a talented and specialized periodontist in Phoenix, AZ.
Whether you’re looking for regular dental appointments to protect your teeth or treatments for a loose tooth, get in touch with us today for more information.
