Wiggly Tooth: Do I Need to Worry?

When should you worry about a wiggly tooth? 

If you have a wiggly tooth as an adult, it’s usually a sign of an underlying problem like gum disease or trauma to the mouth. If you can move your tooth by touching it, you’ll need to see a dentist. If your tooth is so loose that it's coming out of the socket, book an emergency appointment with one of our dentists right away. 

What causes a loose adult tooth? 

There are a few reasons why you might have a wiggly tooth. For adults a loose tooth is usually caused by an underlying problem.

Gum disease 

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss amongst adults. Over time it weakens the jawbone and the ligaments that keep our teeth in place. If you have gum disease you will most likely have other symptoms like: 

• Sore or inflamed gums 
• Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
• Gum recession 

Dental trauma 

Any type of injury that causes trauma to your mouth can knock your teeth out of place. Sports injuries, accidents or a fall that impacts your mouth or jaw might loosen your teeth. If your tooth has been knocked out, book an emergency appointment straight away.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) 

Over time, the grinding and clenching of your teeth and jaw can cause teeth to move and even become loose. Other symptoms of bruxism include a sore jaw and toothache.

Pregnancy 

During pregnancy, surges of the hormones progesterone and estrogen can loosen the tissues holding our teeth in place. You may suffer from pregnancy gingivitis and experience similar symptoms to gum disease. These symptoms usually go away after childbirth.

What’s the treatment for a loose tooth? 

Treatment depends on what the underlying issue is, but your dentist will always start with a checkup of your mouth, and the surrounding teeth and gums. Your dentist will ask when you first noticed any signs of movement and any other symptoms you may be experiencing (like bleeding when you brush). 

Your dentist might also take some x-rays to assess whether the root tooth is damaged in any way.

Treatment for tooth trauma 

If your loose tooth is cause by a knock to the mouth, your dentist might recommend treatments like: 

A mouth guard: If grinding your teeth at night is the cause of your wiggly tooth, wearing a mouth guard will help. You’ll probably find that your tooth and the surrounding gums become secure fairly quickly. 

Splinting: If your tooth hasn’t fully pulled away from the gums, your dentist might bond the wiggly tooth to its neighbouring teeth. This helps provide more support while it heals.

Bite adjustment: If your loose tooth is caused by pressure from neighbouring teeth, your dentist can remove a small amount of enamel which can prevent teeth from touching while they heal. 

Removing and replacing the tooth: If your tooth is very wiggly, it might not be possible to fix it. Where possible, most dentists try to avoid tooth extractions, so this is usually a last resort. If you tooth needs to be pulled, a dentist will always recommend filling the gap with a dental implant or dental bridge. This is because a gap in your smile can cause neighbouring teeth to move into the empty space.

Treatment for gum disease 

If your loose tooth is caused by gum disease, your dentist might recommend treatments like: 

A clean and polish: Treating gum disease is a process, but a proper clean and polish will help to rid your mouth of built-up plaque and tartar between and behind your teeth. With regular brushing and flossing you can expect any signs of early gum disease to disappear over the coming weeks. You’ll need to keep up a regular oral hygiene routine to keep gum disease at bay.

A deep clean: For more advanced gum disease, you may need more than just a clean and polish. A deep clean gets into the pockets of your gums, right under the gumline. You might also need ongoing treatment to prevent bone loss or receding gums.

Bone graft: If you’ve lost bone density from gum disease you might need a bone graft before your dentist can fit you with a dental implant. A bone graft isn’t a treatment for gum disease, but it will help strengthen your jawbone so that an implant can be placed in the coming months. 

Soft tissue graft: Gum disease can cause the gums to recede which can lead to wiggly teeth. A soft tissue or gum graft can prevent tooth loss. Soft tissue is usually taken from the roof of your mouth and attached along the gum line to cover any exposed tooth roots.

Should you pull a loose tooth out at home? 

No. Even if your tooth can’t be saved, you should never pull a tooth out at home. It’s dangerous and can cause more damage to your surrounding teeth and gums. Emergency departments regularly see patients who have tried to pull their teeth out at home.

When should I seek treatment? 

Right now. No matter what the underlying cause of your wiggly tooth is, you need to get it checked out straight away. If your wiggly tooth is the result of a sports injury or a fall and your tooth has been knocked out of your mouth, you can book an emergency appointment with Gentle Dental at one of our four Wellington clinics.