Tooth mobility can be caused by gum disease, trauma, bruxism, or malocclusion. Dentists evaluate mobility during exams and treatment involves identifying and fixing the cause. Successful treatment of gum disease can firm up loose teeth, but in advanced cases, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced with implants or bridge work.
Tooth mobility refers to the movement of mobile teeth within their sockets. Primarily caused by gum disease and trauma, loose teeth are often an indicator of a larger dental problem. Treatment involves identifying and fixing the cause of the loose teeth. If caught early enough, loose teeth can be made firm again.
There are two types of tooth mobility. Physiological loosening refers to the slight degree of movement that all teeth, even perfectly healthy ones, have when a certain force is applied. The amount of physiological mobility varies from person to person, tooth to tooth, and also varies based on the time of day the mobility is measured. Pathological loosening refers to tooth movement caused by the progression of gum disease or trauma.
Dentists evaluate the mobility of teeth during routine exams. Movement is usually measured by applying direct pressure to individual teeth with a finger or dental instrument. Another method is to place a finger on the front surface of the tooth and feel the movement as the patient grinds or chews. Tooth mobility is classified by assigning a score between zero and three to represent the amount of movement a tooth is capable of. A normal tooth that is not loose scores a zero and a severely loose tooth that moves both horizontally and vertically scores a three.
Aside from the loss of baby teeth, gum disease is the most common cause of loose teeth. Also called periodontal disease, it starts with a bacterial infection. If left untreated, the inflammation eventually destroys gum tissue, spreads to the tissues between the teeth and bone, and eventually destroys the bone itself. Gum disease attacks the entire foundation that normally holds teeth together.
For mobility caused by gum disease, scaling and root implantation procedures are often used to remove bacteria and encourage the growth of healthy gum tissue. If gum recession is a problem, you may need a graft to fix your wobbly teeth. Successful treatment of gum disease will firm up loose teeth. In the case of very advanced gum disease, however, there may be no other treatment option than to have the tooth removed. A dentist may recommend dental implants or bridge work to replace the missing tooth.
The other major cause of tooth mobility is trauma to the tooth. Injuries sustained as a result of an accident or sporting event are a source of trauma. A loose tooth resulting from force usually sets up on its own if the gum tissue is healthy. You should avoid chewing directly with the tooth to allow the damaged tooth to rest. If the tooth is extremely loose or if mobility is bothersome to the patient, the tooth can be splinted to neighboring solid teeth with a thin wire.
Another source is chronic teeth grinding or clenching, called bruxism. Misalignment is another cause of loose teeth. Also called malocclusion, this condition places uneven pressure on certain teeth when chewing and over time weakens the bone and supporting teeth. Teeth that come loose from grinding or clenching are often protected with the use of a mouthguard. You may need orthodontic treatment to correct tooth loosening caused by malocclusion.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
