31 Aug 2020
Loose Teeth

Loose teeth in adults is a cause for concern and may be a sign of an underlying health issue. Healthy adult teeth should be secure in place and not shift or wiggle. Some reasons that adults lose their teeth may be less severe than others. Our North Palm Beach dentist can help you get a better understanding of what may cause loose teeth in adults and how they can be repaired or restored.

Periodontitis


Periodontitis is a leading cause for tooth loss in adults. This is due to the damage caused to both the gums and bone tissue in your mouth. Damage to your gums and jawbone tissue is caused by common infections like gingivitis and periodontitis. This may cause teeth to become wiggly or loosened which may ultimately lead to tooth loss. Infection in the gums can be damaging for your oral health as well as your overall health, so it is important to treat it early. Periodontitis is a treatable and preventable disease, so there is a chance our North Palm Beach dentist can repair your smile before you experience tooth loss. With proactive dental hygiene and regular dental appointments, we can help you have a strong and beautiful smile.

Gum Disease & Gingivitis


Gum disease is often caused by poor oral hygiene. We encourage all of our patients to brush twice per day with fluoride toothpaste, floss every night before bed, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash. We also ask that patients come in for a professional cleaning every six months to have built-up plaque and tartar removed from your smile. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist, and neglecting it can lead to serious oral infections. This hard, sticky material creates an environment in your mouth for bacteria to thrive and can lead to deterioration of your teeth and gums. Tartar buildup can absolutely contribute to wiggly teeth, so make sure you are getting your smile professionally cleaned every six months.

Signs of gum disease include red and swollen gums, gum tenderness, bleeding when you brush, gum recession, and shifting of teeth. Extreme gum recession can lead to highly sensitive teeth and permanent damage to your smile. Gum disease is extremely common in adults and children, so it is very important that you take proper care of your smile to protect your teeth and gums.

Changes in Body Chemistry


Gum disease and wiggly teeth can actually be a symptom of pregnancy. Many pregnant women report experiencing soft or wiggly teeth at the beginning of pregnancy, and sometimes these symptoms can persist. This is because the natural hormones of the body have been altered and elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone can contribute to bone issues. This change in your body chemistry should restore itself after the baby is born, but talk to our North Palm Beach dentist if the condition persists.

Injury or Damage


Your smile can easily be harmed through injury like blunt-force trauma, or even just through a crack in the tooth. If you have injured your mouth in an accident, or if you have cracked a tooth, you need to make an appointment with our dentist. Any slight injury to your smile could leave you vulnerable to further damage in the future. A crack in the tooth that reaches the gums can lead to serious infection and may result in the loss of that tooth. Even if you haven’t knocked your tooth all the way out, you can still hit it hard enough to damage your tooth roots. If you believe the security of your tooth has been compromised, schedule an appointment with us so we can give your smile a thorough examination.

If you notice that your teeth are shifting or have become wiggly, schedule an appointment with our dentist. You may be suffering from an underlying health issue that can seriously threaten your smile. By treating loose teeth early on, you can protect your smile from tooth loss and save yourself from costly dental treatments in the future. The best way to treat a dental emergency is to prevent one, so be sure to protect your beautiful smile!