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Loose teeth in adults are caused by periodontal disease, injury, and bruxism. Dentists can measure tooth mobility and treat gum disease with root planing and surgery. Mouthguards can prevent teeth grinding.
Loose teeth in adults are most commonly caused by periodontal disease and injury to the teeth and mouth. Periodontal disease is a condition in which tartar buildup and the resulting infections essentially eat away at the bone that your teeth are anchored to. This allows them to melt and move around in your mouth. Injury to the mouth, such a blow to the face can loosen the teeth. Bruxism, or a condition in which a person grinds their teeth, usually loosens the teeth over time.
Dentists measure the mobility of the teeth by pressing on the teeth and trying to move them to see how far they move. The teeth should feel firm and anchored in place. People in the early stages of gum disease may not notice loose teeth right away, but a dentist can usually feel movement. The first sign of gingivitis that people typically notice is slightly receding gums that bleed when brushed. If the disease is not treated at this stage, it can develop into periodontitis. This is the most advanced stage of periodontal disease where teeth usually begin to loosen rapidly.
Root planing, special mouthwashes, and regular dental checkups can often stop both the early and later stages of periodontal disease. However, some of the more mobile teeth may need to be extracted. Measures such as gum flap surgery and jaw grafts can sometimes save loose teeth once the gum disease is under control.
A dental injury caused by a blow to the mouth can also be the cause of tooth loss. This type of accidental trauma can actually knock out teeth completely. Today, even extremely mobile teeth caused by mouth injuries can often be saved by a dentist. If the teeth are only slightly loose and there is no gum disease that could interfere with healing, they will often fix up on their own. If the root of the tooth is completely loose, dental work will probably be needed to save the tooth.
Another common reason for loose teeth is bruxism. Many people grind their teeth while they sleep, so they have no control over it. A dentist can usually tell if a patient grinds their teeth due to wear and tear where the teeth meet. Special mouthguards may be worn while sleeping to prevent this type of damage and reduce pressure on the teeth. Some dentists will make these guards to fit the patient, although inexpensive guards that can be molded to an individual’s mouth are also available in some stores.
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