A loose tooth is often thought to belong to old age. In fact young people get them too, and it is a sign to be checked early because the tooth often still has a chance of being saved.
- A loose tooth at a young age is not normal and is a sign to be checked early.
- Common causes are gum disease, tartar, injury, grinding or an uneven bite.
- Avoid chewing on the tooth, keep it clean and do not push or tie it at home.
- If found early, many teeth can be kept once the cause is properly dealt with.
Many people in their thirties, or even younger, suddenly find a tooth that feels loose when eating or when pushed gently with the tongue. Quite a few assume that loose teeth only happen in old age and so brush it off. In fact a loose tooth in a young person is a sign to be checked early, and when found in time, the tooth can often still be saved.
Why does a tooth become loose when young?
- Gum disease: bacteria gradually destroy the gum and bone around the root, the most common cause, see whether periodontitis can be treated.
- Tartar built up over a long time keeps the gums inflamed and the bone shrinking.
- Injury from a knock, an accident or biting something hard.
- Grinding or an uneven bite, which makes one tooth take too much force.
- Some general conditions such as diabetes make gums more prone to inflammation.
What should you do straight away?
- Avoid chewing on that tooth and do not push it with your tongue or fingers.
- Brush gently and keep the area around the tooth very clean.
- See a dentist early so the looseness can be assessed and an X-ray can show the bone.
- Do not use medicine or tie or stick the tooth yourself at home.
Can a loose tooth be saved?
This depends largely on how much bone has been lost. If the looseness is mild and the cause is dealt with, such as scaling, gum treatment or adjusting the bite, the tooth can firm up again. If much bone has been lost, the dentist will advise whether to keep or remove it, see whether a loose tooth should be kept or removed.
Prevention
- Have tartar removed regularly and brush properly twice a day.
- Use a night guard if your dentist advises, see whether grinding teeth during sleep is harmful.
- Stop smoking, which weakens gums and bone.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
Come for a check as soon as a tooth feels loose, especially with bleeding gums, pain or a tooth that is moving. Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first. Whether to keep or remove the tooth is decided by the dentist after an examination and X-ray.
Frequently asked questions
Will a loose tooth in a young person firm up by itself?
If the cause is a mild injury or recent gum inflammation, the tooth can firm up with proper care. If it is from gum disease or grinding, the dentist needs to treat the cause.
Should I push or wiggle a loose tooth?
No, since it makes the tooth looser and hurts the gum. Avoid chewing on it and see a dentist early.
Must a loose tooth always be removed?
No. Many teeth can be kept if the cause is dealt with early. The dentist only considers removal when a lot of bone has been lost.