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When you’re little, a loose tooth is a right of passage. As soon as your teeth became wiggly, you knew you would get some money under your pillow and a brand new tooth in its place. However, a loose tooth is more of a concern as an adult. There are plenty of reasons why you should never ignore a loose tooth as an adult.

At Russell Family Dentistry, our team offers specialized dental care when you’re having problems with your teeth and gums. Dr. Louis Russell Jr. is our in-house dentist, specializing in both cosmetic dentistry and dental implants. Dr. Russell gets to the bottom of your loose tooth so you can keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

What causes a loose tooth in adults?

If you notice one of your teeth is loose, it’s extremely scary as an adult. While a loose tooth sometimes means nothing, in most cases, something else is going on.

One of the main reasons for a loose tooth in an adult is gum disease. This typically happens with improper dental hygiene, allowing bacteria to wear down your gums and surrounding bones. 

However, loose teeth don’t usually happen in the beginning stages of gum disease. Typically, some signs send up a red flag, including bleeding gums and pain or redness of your gums.

If found early, gum disease can be effectively treated. Noticing the signs of gum disease early helps our team identify the problem and treat the infection. This restores the health of your gums and teeth and reduces inflammation.

Gum disease isn’t the only cause of loose teeth, though; an injury to your tooth or severe grinding of your teeth can also cause them to become loose. In some cases, pregnancy can also lead to loose teeth. This is due to the change in your hormones.

How a loose tooth is treated

When you notice a tooth is loose, you shouldn’t delay dental care. If you wait too long, your tooth may fall out, causing another problem.

The team at Russell Family Dentistry understands how to properly deal with loose adult teeth. Dr. Russell provides several treatments for loose teeth, depending on how loose it is and the cause of the problem.

In mild to moderate cases of a loose tooth, the team offers non-surgical treatments to help stabilize your tooth and treat the underlying problem. This may include treatments such as scaling, root planing, and antibiotics to clear up any infection in your gums. 

If your loose tooth is caused by grinding or clenching, Dr. Russell recommends a mouth guard or dental appliance to prevent friction between your lower and upper teeth. 

Splinting is another option if the tooth hasn’t completely detached from your bone. This helps anchor the loose tooth to surrounding teeth, keeping it from getting looser or falling out.

In severe cases, surgical treatments might be necessary to save your teeth. These treatments involve procedures such as gum grafts, bone grafts, and flap surgery. In some cases, you may need the tooth extracted and a dental implant placed in that spot.

Preventing loose teeth from happening

The best prevention strategy for keeping your teeth and gums healthy is your oral hygiene. This means taking care of your mouth and teeth every single day.

The first step is to brush your teeth at least twice a day, every day. If you have gum issues, make sure you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle. Too much friction with a harder brush can damage your gums.

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. You want to be sure to floss your teeth once or twice a day to keep your gums healthy. Not flossing can lead to decay between your teeth, causing gum problems and possibly loose teeth.

Another way to prevent your teeth from getting loose is by scheduling regular dental check-ups and cleanings. This is a preventative measure, allowing our team to check your teeth and gums for any problems before they become bigger issues.

If you have an adult tooth that’s loose, don’t hesitate to seek treatment by calling our office in Tomball, Texas, today at 281-603-1911. You can also request an appointment on our website using our scheduling tool.