Can a loose tooth fix itself?
We all remember the feelings of childhood, when our teeth started to loosen. There is soreness, redness, discomfort, and that nagging desire to poke and prod your tooth with your tongue. The gums are sore and sometimes burn, and for some reason playing with the loose tooth satisfies your gum tingling. When we start to encounter this feeling as adults, we have to ignore that base impulse.
Taking note of your gum and tooth health early can help to offset long term damage to the tooth root and your gums. At the first sign of looseness you should make an appointment and be seen by a dental professional. Be honest with them about how diligent you have been in your dental hygiene, to save time in diagnosing the root cause.
Our teeth are wrapped in ligaments and tissue deep in our gums, in the root of the tooth. There is some natural give because of this. But tissue is semi malleable, and can be extended too far. If your tooth is capable of moving more than a millimeter from its typical fixed location, you should see a dentist immediately. Weakening of tissue and fibers within your gums can typically be repaired or care for if caught early enough. However your dentist will need to inspect further to determine whether the underlying cause is due to infection or disease, which may require longer term care.
How can a dentist fix your teeth?
Repair will depend on the cause, but most tooth looseness is caused by disease, infection, or physical damage. Your dentist may recommend several treatment options.
Root Planing- Root planing involves smoothing the surface of your tooth root to allow the tissue to attach more securely. Root planing can help to reduce the impact of the disease.
Scaling- Scaling is helpful to physically remove plaque and tartar, which builds up from leftover foodstuffs, through the use of dental tools. Physically removing the decaying material can help to remove the source of gum disease and infection.
Surgical Grafts- Tissue and/or bone can be grafted into the support structures of your mouth. The tissue grafts may help to resecure your loose teeth into the ecosystem of your jaw. Bone grafts may be used to repair long term damage done to your jaw support structure from disease.
Bridges- In some cases bridges can be used to secure loose teeth to other, more secure, teeth in your mouth. This can help to save the tooth from falling out, and it keeps the tooth in place in the root, so that over time it may reattach naturally.
Implants- If the underlying cause has removed the chance to save the original tooth, you can consult with your dentist to have loose teeth replaced with dental implants. Dental Implants are often stronger and more secure than your original teeth, and more durable materials are used to create them.
What to do next
Begin by taking a sober look at your dental hygiene practices. Brush regularly after meals, using bristles that are recommended by your dentist or hygienist. Soft bristles are often recommended to prevent gum recession, firmer bristles to target plaque and tartar. Nothing compares with regular flossing to remove materials in between the teeth. Use antibiotics as recommended by your dentist, as well as antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwash. Make an appointment with your dental care team, and schedule regularly advised checkups.