A loose tooth when you’re a child is so exciting. Your baby teeth are falling out, your adult ones are coming in, and the tooth fairy may even leave you a surprise present! When you’re an adult however, loose teeth are a scary prospect. With no tooth behind it to take its place, a loose tooth is nerve-wracking and potentially detrimental to losing your perfect smile. Here’s what causes loose adult teeth, how to treat them, and how best to prevent them in the first place.

Causes of loose adult teeth

Gum disease is one of the most common ways we develop loose adult teeth. Gum disease is an inflammation and infection in the gums, caused by bacteria attracted by plaque. When we don’t floss away plaque, it hardens to our teeth’s surface over time and becomes tartar. This causes the gums to recede, creating gaps that are easily infected. The tissue is broken down in these gaps, lessening their support of the teeth and causing them to become loose.

Pregnancy brings with it raised levels of oestrogen and progesterone, affecting bones and tissues in the mouth that cause loose adult teeth. These changes will resolve after pregnancy and they are no cause for concern, but they are a contributing factor to loose teeth. It’s entirely safe for pregnant people to have dental check-ups and cleanings, so you should definitely visit your dentist to avoid a toothy disappointment.

An injury to your teeth or some form of impact can damage your teeth and surrounding supportive tissues. They may become loose, your gums torn, or surfaces chipped. Similarly, clenching and grinding your teeth causes stress to your teeth, loosening them. Many people are unaware of these involuntary movements, so they may not even realise something is amiss with their teeth.

Treating loose adult teeth

We would recommend, as well as regular brushing and flossing, a hygiene appointment with a member of our team. We offer thorough cleaning and teeth maintenance, helping to keep your smile and gums fresh. We offer a treatment called air polishing, which naturally removes tough staining from teeth as well as stubborn plaque build-up that leads to loose adult teeth.

Of course, if your loose adult teeth develop into something a little more sinister and you lose a tooth, we can still help. We always try to preserve and maintain your natural teeth, but we do offer solutions for those we can’t save too. Our dental implants replace single, multiple, or most of your teeth should you need them to. They are colour-matched to your existing teeth and restore form and function to your mouth. When loose adult teeth become missing adult teeth it can be embarrassing, but we want all of our patients to know that we can supply solutions.

Preventing loose adult teeth

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day are clear and obvious ways of preventing loose teeth. By preventing the bacteria and plaque build-up on your teeth, you lessen the threats present against your gums. This should go hand-in-hand with regular dental check-ups and hygiene appointments.

Medication may also be an option, or something to be aware of, for some patients. For example, those who are at risk of osteoporosis may want to consider asking a doctor about calcium and vitamin D supplements to help prevent the bone and tooth condition. It’s also important that you’re aware of any health conditions like diabetes and any medication that affects your teeth, because otherwise you may be caught by surprise.

At Blossom Dental Care & Implant Studio in York, we welcome any and all who are passionate about their dental health. If you’re worried about your teeth and gums, or simply fancy a check-up, then enquire online today.