For kids, a loose tooth is no big deal. In fact, discovering a loose tooth is exciting. When kids lose their baby teeth, it’s a good thing. This means that there will be space for their adult teeth to grow in.
But when an adult has a loose tooth, that’s a whole other story. When you lose a tooth as an adult, there is no natural replacement waiting to grow in. So when you discover a loose tooth, it can be scary.
When you lose a tooth or are concerned about losing a tooth you should start by identifying the cause. There are a few different causes of loose teeth in adults: trauma and gum disease.
Causes of loose teeth in adults:
Trauma
When your loose tooth is caused by serious trauma, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Whether you hit your head, in a car accident, or any other event, you need to get your mouth and teeth checked out. There could be additional injuries like nerve damage or chips and cracks that you need to address.
If you discover a loose tooth without a clear cause, you can afford to wait a few weeks before seeing a dentist. Sometimes teeth can shift and wobble slightly after a light trauma. In this case, the affected tooth may tighten back up on its own.
Even if your tooth isn’t bothering you, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to have it checked. Ignoring your loose tooth will not fix it in most cases.
Gum Disease
Another serious cause of loose teeth in adults is gum disease. Gum disease is often caused by poor oral hygiene.
If this is the case, your loose tooth could fall out.
A few signs of gum disease are swollen gums, red or white coloring of the gums, bleeding, or gum abscesses. Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to bone deterioration, infections, loss of teeth, and a number of other causes.
It is imperative that you visit a dentist regularly to check for gum disease, and if necessary, treat it. If this is the cause of your loose tooth, your dentist may be able to re-set the tooth and treat the gum disease.
Regardless of the cause of your loose tooth, if you experience discomfort, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. Correcting underlying causes and fixing the tooth should be your top priority.
Loose teeth are no reason to panic. If you seek out the help of a dental professional and address the problem, you should have no reason to be concerned.
If you are concerned about a loose tooth, contact us today to schedule an appointment. The talented staff at Implantation Dental Center can treat your loose natural tooth, or loose dental implants.
