Table of Contents

• Should You Have Loose Adult Teeth? 
• Why are Your Adult Teeth Loose?
• Can You Save Loose Adult Teeth?
• Reliable Tooth Replacement Options
• Let Mills River Transform Your Smile

When you’re young, loose teeth can be exciting. This may mean a visit from the tooth fairy and a few extra dollars in your pocket. However, as an adult, having loose teeth is more than a little concerning. You likely haven’t experienced loose teeth in decades, and may worry about what this means for your smile. 

While loose adult teeth are distressing, understanding why you’re experiencing this problem can help you save your smile. In this blog, we’ll explore the common causes of loose adult teeth, whether the teeth can be saved, and how your dentist can help you restore your smile in the event of tooth loss.

Should You Have Loose Adult Teeth? 

When you’re a child, loose teeth aren’t anything to be overly concerned by. However, as an adult, loose teeth are far more distressing. When you are performing proper oral care, you shouldn’t have loose teeth. This often signifies a much more significant problem that requires immediate attention from your dental team. 

If you are experiencing increased loosening, in addition to the following symptoms, this may be cause for concern:

• Bleeding, swollen gums
• Significant gum recession
• Tooth discoloration
• Red, tender gums
• Discomfort when biting
• Chronic bad breath
• Bite changes

As soon as these symptoms emerge, it is essential that you reach out to your dentist to schedule an appointment. If these symptoms appear suddenly or are progressing rapidly, you may want to schedule emergency dental care to ensure you’re doing everything you possibly can to protect yourself from long-term oral health complications. 

Why are Your Adult Teeth Loose?

There are a few common reasons why you may have loose adult teeth, and understanding the cause is crucial in determining what your next steps will be. If you have loose adult teeth, this may be the result of: 

• Dental Trauma: One of the most common causes of loose adult teeth is dental trauma. Whether from a sports injury or recent accident, this trauma often knocks one or more teeth loose from its socket. 
• Bruxism: Grinding your teeth, especially for prolonged periods, can lead to your loose adult teeth, as it places additional strain on your gum tissue, stretching them and weakening their hold on your teeth.
• Periodontal Disease: As your gum disease progresses to severe periodontal disease, the bones and ligaments that hold your teeth in place begin to break down, leading to loose adult teeth. 
• Pregnancy: During your pregnancy, you may suffer from a condition called pregnancy gingivitis, which temporarily loosens the tissue that holds your teeth in place. However, this should go away after childbirth. 

If you’re unsure why you’re experiencing this change in your oral health, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist. A comprehensive dental exam can help you identify the root cause of the problem and craft a plan to restore your oral health. 

Can You Save Loose Adult Teeth?

If you are dealing with loose adult teeth, you may be worried that there isn’t anything your dental team can do to prevent you from losing it. While your dentist won’t always be able to save loose adult teeth, turning to them for support as soon as symptoms emerge can help you protect your smile and avoid tooth loss. 

If your loose teeth are the result of dental trauma, your dentist can clean and splint the teeth to support them while they, and the supporting tissue, heal. For individuals with bruxism, you’ll need to treat your grinding and be fitted for a night guard to treat and prevent future grinding complications and potential tooth loss. 

Finally, if your loose adult teeth are the result of advanced periodontal disease, there is a chance they will not be able to save your teeth. They can perform gum and bone grafts, but this won’t always be enough to save the teeth, and you may need to talk to your dental team about replacement options. 

No matter why you are experiencing increased loosening of your adult teeth, it is important that you schedule an appointment with your dentist. Whether caused by an accident, gum disease, or pregnancy, a thorough examination and X-rays from your dentist can help you craft the perfect treatment plan to improve your overall oral health. 

Reliable Tooth Replacement Options

When you lose an adult tooth, it can be incredibly distressing. You may worry about the long-term impact this loss will have on the appearance and function of your smile. While it can be stressful, there are a few incredibly reliable replacement options to ensure your smile looks and functions as it should, including: 

• Dentures: While you might think of dentures as a replacement for an entire mouth of missing teeth, partial dentures are a great way to fill in gaps without breaking the budget. 
• Bridges: If you’re missing a few neighboring teeth, you may want to consider bridges, which attach to the surrounding teeth while blending seamlessly with your natural teeth. 
• Implants: For individuals with enough jawbone, dental implants are an incredibly secure, comfortable, and natural prosthetic option. 

If you’re on the fence about which replacement option is best for you, turn to your trusted dental team for support. They will assess your current oral health condition, wants and needs, and budget to ensure you make the best choice for your smile. With their advice, you can rest assured that you’re making the right decision for your long-term oral health. 

Let Mills River Transform Your Smile

Whether you have loose adult teeth, have already lost a tooth, or want to protect your smile from oral health complications, our team at Mills River Family Dental is here to help. When you turn to us for expert dental care, you can trust that we’ll do everything in our power to help you transform your smile into something you’re proud to show off. From dental implants and dentures to teeth cleanings, root canals, and more, we do it all. 

If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today.