Preserving your oral health is all about consistency, and a big part of caring for your teeth is addressing dental issues like loose teeth as soon as possible. Your dentist can help save your loose teeth through timely treatment and regular dental exams.
You can heighten your chances of saving your loose teeth by heading to your dentist’s office immediately to see how they can help. Let’s explore some common things that can cause loose teeth and how your dental professional can help.
What Causes Loose Teeth?
Any time you notice loose teeth, it can be an alarming experience. We all want to put on our best smile, and loose teeth can interfere with that. Some causes of loose teeth in adults can be harmless, while others may require your dentist’s help to save the tooth or replace it if necessary.
The causes of loose teeth can vary, and sometimes you may experience symptoms like:
- Swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Gum recession
These symptoms can indicate other issues, so it can be helpful to talk to your dental professional about a loose tooth. Let’s take a closer look at some of the possible causes of loose teeth.
Poor Dental Hygiene & Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, can occur due to poor dental hygiene habits and lead to inflammation and infection of the gums.
Neglecting your brushing and flossing routine over time can lead to a build-up of plaque which contains bacteria. Hardened plaque, or tartar, can cause the gums to pull away from your teeth, resulting in gaps that can become infected.
This process can break down the bone and tissue that support your teeth, causing your teeth to become loose. Regular dental exams and cleanings can help keep your teeth healthy and protected from plaque build-up.
Injury to the Teeth
As you can imagine, an impact from a blow to your face or teeth can damage them and the surrounding tissue. An injury to your face could lead to loose teeth and getting treatment as soon as possible after an injury or accident is important.
Clenching & Grinding Your Teeth
We can all get stressed out from time to time, but if it’s leading to clenching or grinding your teeth, that can be a cause for concern. Clenching your teeth when you’re stressed or grinding them while you’re sleeping can wear them down and loosen them.
Now that we have explored some causes of loose teeth let’s look at how your dentist can help.
How Your Dentist Can Help
The first step to preserving your oral health is attending your comprehensive dental exams. A dental exam can help your dentist identify the cause of your loose tooth and recommend a treatment option that works for you.
Your dental exam may include:
- A review of your medical history
- X-rays and other diagnostic tests
- A close examination of your teeth and gums
- A summary of your current oral health
Because loose teeth can result from a breakdown of the bone and tissue that support your teeth, your dentist can help through a variety of treatment methods.
In cases of severe looseness, your dental professional may recommend restorative dental procedures like dental implants or bridges to replace the tooth entirely if it cannot be saved.
Prevention is key! And practicing good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing daily while maintaining a regular dental exam schedule can help protect your teeth from damage and decay.
In the case of emergencies, your dentist can help save your loose tooth or provide other options to replace the tooth if necessary!
Preserving Your Smile
Maintaining your oral health is an ongoing process. Loose teeth can occur from gum disease and injuries, but the good news is that your dentist can help save your loose teeth.Book an appointment with our dental care professionals at Markham Dental Smiles for help with loose teeth or other dental emergencies.
