14 September 2017

Why Are My Teeth Loose?

Why Are My Teeth Loose?

There are a number of reasons as to why teeth may become loose.

Small movements may be normal and what we refer to as having physiological mobility or movement. This can often be the result of excessive grinding of teeth, a high spot in the bite or by having other teeth in the mouth missing, which leads to more pressure being applied to a specific tooth or teeth which leads to movement. 

Quite often, these movements are very minor and while they might be possible for you to detect in your own mouth, are generally too small to see and more often than not won't require any treatment. However, I do always recommend having your teeth checked regularly to avoid any potential future issues arising.

Bigger movements of the teeth which can be seen by wiggling a tooth with a finger or noticeably visible movement are of more concern. It is essential that when such movements are detected, you seek expert dental advice as soon as possible. 

These movements can be caused by a number of reasons such as a trauma following a blow to the face or accident, either recently or in the past. If multiple teeth are missing and the remaining teeth are moving, it may be that the teeth have become overloaded and are struggling to support the force of your bite and added pressures. 

In some cases, teeth may become loose having lost the support of bone, most commonly caused by gum disease. All the possibilities have treatment options, but the sooner you seek advice regarding movement in your teeth the more likely it is that something can be done to save them.

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