Have you ever dreamed of losing all your teeth? You may have woken up screaming or panting as you ran to the bathroom and checked your teeth. Sighing, you took a deep breath to see them complete. But then, you began to notice that a few of your teeth are a bit loose. 

Losing a tooth is a rite of passage for children. Each primary tooth is replaced with a permanent one during its formative years. But as an adult, losing teeth can mean never growing them back. And this is why tooth mobility is a cause of concern. If you noticed that your teeth seem a bit loose, here are four major causes of loose teeth and how to treat them:

Osteoporosis

Did you know that osteoporosis can cause bone loss in the jaw? The part of the jawbone that supports the teeth is the alveolar process, so the link between the alveolar bone can cause teeth mobility. The National Institutes of Health notes that women with osteoporosis are three times as likely to experience tooth mobility and tooth loss as those who don’t share the disease. 

If you are receiving treatment for osteoporosis and you want to treat loose teeth, you need to talk to your dentist about the medications you take. This is because antiresorptive medications can interfere with certain dental treatments and lead to a rare but serious condition called osteonecrosis, which causes loose teeth. As such, be sure to consult your dentist about your loose teeth so that they can suggest treatments for your situation. 

Periodontal disease

Periodontitis is typically caused by untreated gingivitis, and this can also cause loose teeth and tooth loss. What happens is that periodontal disease affects the tissues and bones that support the teeth. Gums will then separate from the teeth, forming pockets between the teeth and gums. 

This becomes infected, and as the pockets deepen, it will destroy more gum tissue and bone which can eventually cause loose teeth. However, you can always catch symptoms of gum disease to avoid it from progressing. Suppose you do end up with advanced periodontitis. In that case, there are non-surgical and surgical treatments that you can try, such as deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), pocket reduction surgery, soft tissue grafts, and bone grafting.

Pregnancy gingivitis

There are many things that happen to your body during pregnancy. Pregnancy gingivitis is an example of this because your body undergoes several hormonal changes. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, then this can be pregnancy gingivitis. But if this is left untreated for long periods, it can lead to periodontitis and, eventually, loose teeth. For this reason, it’s best to talk to a dentist for it to be treated!

Injury

Injury or accidents can easily cause tooth loss. What happens is that the ligaments and tissues holding your teeth firmly in their sockets get stretched. If you are involved in an accident or any trauma that extends force to your mouth, it will inevitably cause loose teeth. Grinding one’s teeth can also cause the same problem. So, if you were involved in an accident, it’s best to get a whole-body examination.

Conclusion

At this point, you now know several causes of loose teeth. In the end, if you encounter any of the causes mentioned above, then be sure to visit your dentist immediately. However, rest assured that loose teeth don’t mean that you will permanently lose your teeth. There are ways to save it, so it’s best to talk to your dentist for a treatment plan!

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Posted in Dental News & Advice