It is commonly known that loose teeth are typical for children. They have milky teeth, which gradually replace permanent teeth. But, loose teeth in adults is a matter of concern. It may be a sign of underlying disease or poor dental health. Before the loose tooth creates any major problem, it should be taken care of as early as possible. When adults are facing a problem of a loose tooth, they generally experienced symptoms such as;
- Redness around the gums
- Tooth or gum pain
- bleeding gums
- swollen gums
- gum recession, etc.
Also, these symptoms can indicate dental disease, so it’s necessary to consult a doctor for the same. Assessment of the cause will help your doctor to treat it appropriately. This blog comprehensively explains the underlying reasons for loose teeth and remedies to treat the same.
Let’s understand the most common causes of loose teeth.
Once the main cause of a loose tooth is identified, it is easier for you or your doctor to treat it effectively. The typical causes of tooth loosening include;
Gum Diseases – Periodontitis (inflammation of gums) is one of the most common reasons for loose teeth. The infection damages the tooth, and eventually, it loses its strength.
Plaque – because of the plaque, gums pull away from the teeth, forming gaps prone to infection. Over time, this can break down the tissue or bone supporting the teeth, causing the teeth’ roots to become loose.
Teeth grinding – clenching the teeth while under stress or grinding teeth in deep sleep may tear down the tissue and cause loose teeth.
Trauma/injury – dental or face injury often results in tooth fracture or damage to the jaw. Consequently, teeth loosening has commonly been seen in people who have a present or history of tooth injury.
Poor oral hygiene – It is the prevailing cause of most dental problems. Poor dental hygiene ruptures the teeth’ enamel, weakens the gum, or increases bacteria, resulting in loose teeth.
Osteoporosis – It is a condition where bones throughout the body become less dense and prone to fracture. For example, when the bone around the teeth lessens its density, it causes loose teeth. This condition can affect men and women. But, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis at a later age due to decreased estrogen levels.
Hormonal changes – sometimes in pregnancy, high progesterone and estrogen levels cause the ligaments and bone around your teeth to loosen. However, this condition is not seen in all pregnant women.
Remedies to strengthen loose teeth
Consulting a doctor is the best option to treat loose teeth. Nonetheless, here are some helpful remedies that will help you to strengthen loose teeth and maintain overall healthy teeth.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is important not only for strengthening loose teeth but also for avoiding general dental problems. Here are some useful ways to maintain oral hygiene;
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Use mouthwash to prevent the growth of bacteria in the mouth
- Floss after eating
- Use a straw to consume carbonated drinks
Nutritious diet – consume a calcium-rich diet that overall improves oral health. Gradually it will help to strengthen teeth. Include dairy products, green leafy vegetables, lean meat, fish, egg, etc.
Hydrogen Peroxide – it removes the bacteria in or around the loosened teeth. The microbes cause infection, cavities, or plaque, and as a result, detachment of the tooth occurs.
Saltwater gargle – just like hydrogen peroxide, salt water is an effective disinfectant. First, it will help draw out the hidden bacteria in the mouth, and gradually, gums will be stronger along with loose teeth.
Turmeric & Black pepper – this combination of natural ingredients is effective in treating the loose tooth. Take an equal amount of both components and gently massage on the affected area. After that, rinse the mouth with clean water.
Besides, preventing damage to the enamel (the most outer layer of teeth) is essential for healthy teeth. And a healthy tooth slows down the process of teeth loosening and strengthens dental health. Here are some useful tips for preventing enamel erosion;
- Cut down on acidic drinks i.e citrus fruit juices, sodas
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth
- Consume mills or cheese followed by a meal
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Use fluoride toothpaste
In addition, here is some basic treatment to strengthen loose teeth. Depending on the severity of the slacken teeth your dentist may suggest;
- Scaling and root planing – if teeth loosening occurs because of gum disease, this deep cleaning procedure works.
- Medications – it will help to combat bacterial infection in the mouth.
- Surgery – in some severe cases, surgery will be required. It will remove inflamed gum tissue and bone to treat the problem.
- Grafts – these (bone graft or tissue graft)can support the affected area of the damaged teeth. And, prevent further gum or tooth damage in people with gum disease.
- Dental appliances – appliances like splints aid in reducing damage from grinding and may help to fix the issue.
Again, all remedies or treatment depends on the underlying cause of loosening teeth. You can take necessary measures like practicing good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, or consuming a nutritious diet (vitamin D and calcium-rich food) to keep your teeth in good health. However, if you are concerned about loose teeth or want to improve your oral health, TruCare – cosmetic dentistry in Roswell, GA, is at your service. Our location makes us extremely popular among residents of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Marietta, Milton, and Woodstock. If you stay in and around these areas, do drop by or contact us to schedule a visit.
FAQs
1.Can a loose tooth tighten back up?
A loose tooth can be tightened up in some instances, but you need to seek professional guidance. Your dentist will suggest treatments and remedies after conducting an oral examination.
2. Can loose teeth be reversed?
If treated on time with proper care, loose teeth can be reversed and fixed properly.
3. How do you stop a loose tooth from falling out?
It will help if you take certain measures to prevent a loose tooth from falling out, such as not brushing hard on the affected tooth, avoiding touching it (by tongue or finger), and more. Then, visit your dentist so that she can suggest the stabilizer or splint to recover the loose tooth.
4. How can I stabilize my loose teeth at home?
Stabilizing loose teeth at home might be difficult. Therefore, you need to seek immediate professional attention while experiencing loose teeth. First, however, you go for home remedies like saltwater gargle or massaging with turmeric and black pepper to strengthen loose teeth.
5. How do dentists fix loose teeth?
Your dentist will use a stabilizer or splint to the surface of your loose tooth to bond or connect it with the nearby strong teeth.
6. Can saltwater tighten loose teeth?
Gargling with saltwater strengthens loose teeth as the mixture rinses out the hidden bacteria in the mouth.
7. How can I strengthen my teeth naturally?
Maintain proper oral hygiene, consume a healthy diet, eliminate sugar intake, and visit your dentist regularly. These activities will help you to have stronger teeth naturally.
8. What happens if a loose tooth stays in too long?
A loose tooth may cause discomfort if it stays for too long. If children have primary teeth, the loose teeth will eventually fall out on their own. However, when adults have loose teeth, it is recommended to seek the teeth checked by the dentist for proper treatment.
9. Should you pull loose teeth?
Never! Pulling loose teeth is not recommended at all. Instead, if you experience discomfort with loose teeth, visit your dentist, who will guide you through the appropriate process to treat the loose teeth.
10. Is it normal for a loose tooth to turn gray?
Generally, a loose tooth does change its color unless there’s damage to the tooth’s blood vessels or other structure. In this case, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further complications.