Protecting Our Kids' Smiles

As a child, finding that one of your teeth was loose tended to be a cause for celebration — after all, who didn't love a visit from the tooth fairy? However, you're unlikely to be celebrating if you find one or more loose teeth as an adult. This indicates a potentially serious underlying issue that can sometimes lead to the loss of that tooth, so it's wise to visit your dentist as soon as possible should you ever notice that one of your adult teeth is loose.

Here are just five common causes.

1. Gum Disease

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and looseness is often one of the first signs. As gum disease develops, the gums will start to pull back and leave pockets where infections can thrive. Those infections can damage your gums further and even harm the underlying bone. When this happens, your tooth won't be as well supported and will often start to feel loose.

2. Cyst or Abscess

Cysts are fluid-filled sacs, whereas abscesses are filled with pus. Both manifest as lumps along your gumline that can often be felt with your tongue. Due to the swelling they produce, cysts and abscesses can often move teeth out of alignment and cause them to loosen. This is especially common when they form under or between teeth.

3. Trauma

A strong knock to the jaw can knock a tooth loose completely. However, in some cases, the tooth will become loose without actually getting knocked from its socket. It may return to normal without treatment, but it's best to see your dentist if a tooth feels loose due to physical trauma since there is a risk of nerve damage or infection.

4. Bruxism

Bruxism is more commonly known as tooth grinding or clenching. It may occur due to stress or a poor bite, and many people don't even know they are doing it since bruxism often happens at night. Unfortunately, the stress it places on teeth can make them loose over time. If you're suffering from bruxism, you're also likely to wake up with a sore jaw and experience acute tooth sensitivity.

5. Missing Teeth

If you're already missing one or more teeth and have not chosen to have them replaced with a bridge, dentures, or a dental implant, the surrounding teeth may also start to feel loose. Due to this, your remaining teeth will be put under more pressure when you chew and will also have more space to move.

For more information about correcting loose teeth, contact a dentist.