Loose Teeth

As we age, there are a number of changes that take place within the body and loose teeth are one of them. Loose teeth plague countless numbers of people a year, and are almost always a sign of a bigger problem. If left untreated, a loose tooth will eventually fall out leaving a gaping space between your teeth. This could cause other teeth to shift making your smile less appealing or lead to infection. That's why it's important to contact your doctor at the first signs of a loose tooth to avoid further damage.

Causes

When the supporting structure around teeth becomes weakened, teeth become loose. The overlying cause can be traced back to bacteria in the mouth. When the bacterium combines with sugars and saliva it creates plaque, which attaches to the teeth and causes irritation to the gums. This irritation can lead to other harmful problems that can have major consequences. Other common causes of loose tooth include:

• Gum disease. Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is one of the major causes of loose teeth. It is an infection caused by the multiplication of bacteria that causes the gums and supporting bone to be destroyed.
• Malocclusion. When your teeth aren't correctly aligned, extra stress is put on the teeth that connect first when biting down. Over time, this causes the surrounding bone to thin which inhibits its ability to hold the tooth firmly in place.
• Bruxism. Bruxism, the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth, can be quite damaging to your little warriors. The back and forth motion of bruxism tends to wiggle the teeth in the gums. If it subsists over a long period of time, permanent loosening can occur.
• Accidents/ Trauma. Accidents are inevitable, but as an unsuspecting victim it's hard to protect yourself and your teeth against their occurrences. Whether it's a blunt injury from being hit in the face with a soccer ball or getting into a car accident, significant tooth loosening can occur almost immediately after the incident.

Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of loose teeth is the existence of some degree of tooth movement. This movement becomes more apparent when the teeth are clenched; however manually wiggling the tooth is a good indication that there is sufficient tooth mobility. Other symptoms include:

• Discomfort while chewing food
• Pain that accompanies any tooth movement
• Swollen, damaged, and red tissue surrounding a loose tooth

Preventing the eventuality of tooth loss is as simple as practicing good oral hygiene, preventing plaque buildup and visiting your dentist regularly. If you have a severe condition, or are serious about preventing one from occurring, look at your habits and enlist the help of your dentist to ensure further damage doesn't transpire.