If you have a loose tooth, prevention and treatment can help you avoid seeing an emergency dentist in Mount Vernon, NY. Learn more here.
There's something magical about when your child loses their first tooth. However, it's not quite as magical when you find yourself with a loose tooth as an adult!
If you're dealing with an adult loose tooth and are looking for an emergency dentist in Mount Vernon, NY, this guide is for you. Let's take a look at everything you need to know about having a loose tooth as an adult.
Causes of Loose Teeth in Adults
If you notice that you have a tooth that moves when you touch it, you've most likely got a loose tooth in your mouth. When you chew, the looseness is often made worse.
There are several things that can cause loose teeth in adults. Let's take a look at what those are.
Gum Disease
Periodontitis, more commonly known as
gum disease, is one of the main causes of loose teeth in adults. This disease usually occurs due to a build-up of plaque in the mouth.
If you have gum disease, you'll experience a few telltale symptoms. These include:
- Swollen gums
- Red gums
- Gum recession
- Bleeding gums
- Over, under or other bite changes
- Swollen gums
Any of these issues could be signs that you have gum disease. And, if you have gum disease, you're at a higher risk for developing loose adult teeth.
Diabetes
Individuals who have uncontrolled blood sugar levels may also find they suffer from loose teeth. That's because having uncontrolled blood sugar can also cause dental issues.
If you have diabetes or suspect that you do, it's important to get your blood sugar levels in check. That will enable you to avoid further complications such as loose teeth.
Pregnancy
When a woman gets pregnant, her
estrogen and progesterone levels rise. The raised hormones, although necessary for having a baby, can cause issues with oral and bone tissue.
Since gums are more sensitive during pregnancy, it's not uncommon for women to experience loose teeth during this time. The good news is that gum issues usually go away after giving birth.
Injuries
If you were recently in an accident or underwent a sports injury, you may have knocked your teeth loose. That's because these types of impacts can loosen your periodontal ligaments.
While some injuries lead to a
knocked-out tooth, others simply loosen things, opening the door for further dental damage. In these situations, you'll need to find an emergency dentist in Mount Vernon, NY to take care of your problem.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, known as bruxism, is another issue that can cause loose teeth. This grinding puts extra pressure on your teeth leading to
dental erosion and loose teeth.
Many people unconsciously grind their teeth in their sleep. Or, they may unconsciously grind their teeth as a stress response. Either way, it's important to nip this in the bud to avoid loosening your teeth.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that creates holes in your bones, making them brittle and easy to break. This type of bone disorder can affect all parts of the body, including your jawbones.
When osteoporosis impacts your jaw, it can lead to weakened bones that hold your teeth in place. As a result, your teeth can become loose or fall out.
Treatment Options for Loose Adult Teeth
If you notice you have loose teeth, don't panic. There are a few different treatment options out there for loose adult teeth. Let's take a look at a few of them.
Mouthwash and Antibiotics
Mouthwash and antibiotics kill the harmful bacteria in your mouth that cause gum disease. Sometimes, just getting on the right antibiotic and using a good mouthwash is enough to get rid of the problem.
Root Planing
Root planing is a technique that smooths the surface of your roots so that your gums will reattach to your teeth. In most patients, this technique can reverse gum damage.
Surgery
Patients with particularly damaged bones and gum tissues can undergo surgery to get rid of the problem. This allows the body to heal properly so that it can reproduce the gum and bone that should have been in the area.
Bone Grafts
If you don't have enough bone in your jaw, dentists can graft bone onto the area to help thicken it. This involves taking grafts of bone from other parts of the body and adhering them to your damaged teeth.
Gum Grafts
Just like bone grafts, emergency dentists sometimes graft soft tissue onto parts of the gum that are receding. This is often implemented after a patient undergoes root planing to help alleviate lost gum.
Splinting
You can also save loose teeth by splinting them. This method adds support to teeth that haven't yet separated from the gums and keeps the tooth from falling out while it heals.
Bite Adjustment
Bite adjustments reshape your bite by removing parts of your tooth enamel. This reduces the pressure on your loose tooth and helps the bone to heal properly.
Contact an Emergency Dentist in Mount Vernon, NY for Your Loose Tooth
With this guide on having an adult loose tooth, you'll know exactly how to tackle this tricky situation. That way, you'll be able to nip any problems in the bud and keep your mouth in good working order!
If you have a loose tooth, you might need to contact an emergency dentist in Mount Vernon, NY.
Get in touch with us and we'll get you the assistance you need.
