General Dentistry: How to Treat a Loose Tooth

General Dentistry: How to Treat a Loose Tooth from Oak Tree Dental in Poway, CAGeneral dentistry focuses on preventative dentistry, but it also includes restorative treatments that address problems like a loose tooth. A tooth becoming loose may eventually lead to it falling out of its socket, so such issues should never be ignored.

How general dentistry addresses loose teeth

General dentistry has multiple ways to address issues like a loose tooth. It often comes down to the reason that the tooth became loose in the first place. A general dentist can help diagnose the root cause of the problem so appropriate treatment can be performed.

How loose the patient’s tooth is also impacts the effectiveness of the treatment. Here are a few ways that a dentist addresses the different stages of loose teeth.

Slightly loose tooth

A slightly loose tooth sometimes ends up fixing itself. The dentist might advise the patient to avoid biting or chewing with the tooth while it heals. Sticking to soft foods can also help with the healing process. A mildly loose tooth should heal on its own within a week. The dentist will explore other treatment options if it remains loose after that.

Moderately loose tooth

A moderately loose tooth is dangerously close to falling out of its socket, so it requires immediate dental care. A dentist might opt to address it by using a splint to stabilize it in its socket. The splint is attached to the two teeth closest to the loose tooth, preventing it from moving. Keeping the tooth stable enables new bone and gum tissues to develop in its socket, holding the tooth in place.

Loose tooth due to teeth grinding

People who grind their teeth leave them exposed to extreme bite forces. The behavior typically occurs during sleep, so they might not even be aware of their condition. Teeth grinding leads to damaged teeth structures, and it can make teeth loose.

A dentist will address a loose tooth caused by teeth grinding by stabilizing it with a dental splint. A nightguard might be recommended to reduce the forces acting on the patient’s teeth while they sleep. The dentist will also try to diagnose why the patient grinds their teeth and provide a more permanent solution.

Loose teeth due to periodontal disease

Loose teeth can be a symptom of periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. Left untreated, these teeth will eventually fall out of their socket. A dentist might recommend treatments like root scaling and planing to address the patient’s loose teeth.

The procedure involves removing tartar from teeth roots and their surfaces. It also includes polishing teeth roots, making it harder for tartar deposits to form on them. Treatments like bone grafts can also be used to fix loose teeth caused by gum disease.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry Services in Poway, CA

We fix loose teeth

Our dentist can fix your loose tooth regardless of the cause. Give us a call or visit our Poway clinic to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment or call Oak Tree Dental at 858-377-5533 for an appointment in our Poway office.

Related Posts

4 Common General Dentistry Treatments

There are common general dentistry treatments available at the dental office. General dentistry typically focuses on preventive and restorative treatments to ensure a patient’s optimal oral health. In most cases, if a person has a dental issue, one of these standard procedures will most likely be the solution.The following are common treatments available at the…

General Dentistry: 4 Tips For Choosing A Toothbrush And Toothpaste

General dentistry can help you develop good oral health habits in many ways. Going to the dentist’s office will also reduce your risk of having cavities and gum disease. But visiting the dentist every six months is not enough to promote healthy, strong teeth and gums. Daily habits such as brushing your teeth are vital.…

How Often Should You Get A General Dentistry Teeth Cleaning?

General dentistry focuses on keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Teeth cleanings are one of the staples of general dentistry, and the American Association of Dentists recommends getting them at least two times per year. The procedure protects teeth against tooth decay and gum disease.Tooth decay and gum disease are the top two reasons people…