Loose teeth require immediate attention from a general dentist. Without treatment, the teeth can fall out, which would result in a need for replacement. Thankfully, general dentists have a lot of treatment options.
What can cause teeth to become loose
Wondering what can cause loose teeth? Some of the more common reasons why someone would experience a loose tooth is because they are living with gum disease, have multiple crooked teeth or participate in the act of grinding and/or clenching their teeth. Additionally, teeth can become loose as a result of an accident or trauma to the face.
How to treat a loose tooth
The information below is on the topic of how a general dentist treats patients who have one or more loose teeth in their mouth. When it comes to the type of treatment used, it depends on the reason why the tooth is loose in the first place. Keep reading to find out more!
When a loose tooth is due to gum disease
Loose teeth that are caused by gum disease can often be saved. This treatment option requires patients to undergo a deep cleaning, also called a scaling and root planing procedure. This type of dental cleaning is similar to a regular dental cleaning, except for the fact that the general dentist cleans below the gum line, as well as the outer surface of the tooth. This type of gum therapy is often necessary for patients who do not undergo regular dental cleanings, which need to be performed once or twice a year.
Lost gum tissue
While losing gum tissue is often due to bacterial gum infection, there are other reasons that can cause someone to experience a gingival recession. A few of these reasons include aggressively brushing the teeth, brushing the teeth too often and using a hard-bristled toothbrush instead of a soft-bristled one. When the gums are not properly taken care of, over time, it can often lead to gum trauma. This type of loose tooth situation is often treated by using a tooth splinting procedure from a general dentist.
Grinding or clenching
When it is determined that a patient has one or more loose teeth due to grinding or clenching, their treatment will often include a bite adjustment. Bite adjustments are performed in order to reduce pressure on one or more teeth and works by reshaping the bite surface of the tooth. Reshaping the bite surface requires a general dentist to carefully remove small parts of a tooth’s enamel with a goal of reducing any pressure placed on a tooth.
Got a loose tooth?
Need to see a general dentist in order to undergo treatment for a loose tooth? Even though there are different types of reasons why someone would experience a loose tooth, all loose teeth need to be treated so that they remain healthy and strong. Reach out today to find out more or to get started with an appointment!
Request an appointment here: https://www.mfgrassodds.com or call Michael F. Grasso DDS at (636) 777-7700 for an appointment in our Chesterfield office.
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