Permanent Tooth Feels Loose
Once people lose all their baby teeth, their adult teeth must last for the rest of their lives. That is a tall order considering the amount of use and abuse the teeth must withstand on a daily basis. Even with a thorough daily cleaning routine and having regular checkups with a dentist, it is still possible for a permanent tooth to become loose.
Anyone that notices one or more of their permanent teeth have started to become loose, should not ignore the issue as it can be a sign of serious dental problems. Treatment should be sought as soon as possible as failure to do so, could result in losing the affected teeth. Read on to learn more about loose permanent teeth and what to do if it occurs.
Why Do Permanent Teeth Sometimes Feel Loose?
There are many potential causes that can lead to a permanent adult tooth feeling loose and treatment will vary based on the underlying cause. If the tooth is loose because of an injury or fall, it could have become dislodged from its root and dental surgery will be needed to splint it back in position. After a while, the injury should heal and allow the patient to continue life as normal following recovery.
However, if a tooth becomes loose with no obvious cause or injury, it could signify deeper issues, such as advanced periodontal disease. This is particularly true if the loose tooth is accompanied by gum pain, chronic bad breath, and a foul taste in the mouth.
How Long Until a Loose Tooth is Healed?
The quicker a loose tooth is addressed the better as failure to seek treatment will only allow the issue to progress and get worse. Should the case be more severe, patients may require more involved treatment such as removing and replacing the loose tooth. Only qualified dentists can diagnose what caused a tooth to start to loosen so patients should ensure they visit a dentist as soon as possible.
The length of time required for a loose tooth will vary based on the underlying cause. Typical treatments and their related recovery times include:
- Tooth Splinting: With tooth splinting, the dentist attaches a stabilizer or splint to the loose tooth’s surface and then connects or binds it to the strong adjacent teeth. Splinting can help the ligaments recover and strengthen the loose tooth. The process typically lasts about three weeks.
- Night Guard: Using a night guard while sleeping is another treatment for loose teeth that is often used for people that clench or grind their teeth. When people grind their teeth, it puts tremendous pressure on the gums, teeth, and mouth. By wearing a mouth guard when sleeping, most will notice improvement within a few weeks.
- Periodontal Disease Removal: Typically reserved for more serious conditions, treating the underlying periodontal disease that caused the loose tooth is a final option. This is a more intensive process that will require a deep cleaning to clear away infected tissue and bacteria from the gums, teeth, and mouth. Because this is more involved, recovery will likely be more than a month.