Permanent Tooth Feels Loose
After a person loses their baby teeth, their permanent teeth have to last for the remainder of their life. That can be a big ask given the amount of use and abuse the teeth have to withstand every day. Despite the most thorough daily cleaning regimen and visiting the dentist for regular checkups, the possibility that a permanent tooth could loosen still exists.
Should someone notice that one or more permanent teeth start to loosen, the issue should not be ignored as it could be a signal that serious dental issues exist. The person should seek treatment as quickly as possible because failing to do so, could lead to the loss of the affected teeth or the need for extractions. Continue reading to learn more about loosening permanent teeth and what should be done if it occurs.
Why Does a Permanent Tooth Feel Loose Sometimes?
There are numerous factors that could cause a permanent tooth to feel loose and the type of treatment needed will vary depending on the underlying cause. Should a tooth become loose because of an accident or injury, it might dislodge from its root and require dental surgery to splint it back in place. The injury should heal after a while allowing the patient to resume life as normal after recovering.
But if a tooth starts to loosen without injury or an obvious cause, it could be a sign of deeper issues, like advanced gum disease. This is especially the case if chronic bad breath, a bad tase in the mouth, and gum pain accompany the loose tooth.
How Long Does It Take a Loose Tooth to Heal?
The faster a person addresses a loose tooth the better because failing to promptly treat the situation will allow the issue to worsen and progress. If the case is more severe, the person may need more involved treatment such as extracting and replacing the affected tooth. Because only a qualified dentist can diagnose the cause of a loose tooth, patients are wise to seek treatment as soon as they can.
The recovery time needed for a loose permanent tooth varies depending on the cause. Common treatments and the required recovery time include:
Tooth Splinting: During tooth splinting, a dentist attaches a splint or stabilizer to the affected tooth’s surface and binds or connects it to the strong surrounding teeth. This allows the ligaments to recover and helps strengthen the affected tooth. In general, the process requires approximately three weeks to complete.
Night Guards: Wearing a night guard when sleeping is commonly prescribed for patients that have loose teeth caused by clenching or grinding their teeth. These behaviors place excessive force on the teeth and gums that can cause loosening. Most patients will notice improvement within a few weeks of wearing the night guard.
Removing Periodontal Disease: In more severe cases, it may be necessary to remedy underlying periodontal disease that causes a loose tooth. This is a more involved process that calls for a deep cleaning to remove infected tissue and bacteria from the teeth and gums. Because this is a more extensive treatment, recovery can take a month or more.