It is a blessing when a person has a healthy, permanent and natural set of teeth but in case the teeth are broken then they are thought to be old. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is important or it may result in loose or mobile teeth. Mobile teeth in kids is a natural process but moving teeth in adults is a matter of concern. It is important to go to the nearest dental clinic and terminate the root causes behind moving teeth to save your precious smile.

Causes of Loose or Mobile Teeth

  1. Plaque
  2. Plaque deposition around gums (gingiva) over a period of time can lead to tartar formation and cause gums to recede which may lead to space formation between teeth.
  3. Gum Diseases
  4. Most common reason behind teeth mobility is Pyorrhoea or Periodontitis. This infection damages the gums, leads to breaking of bones and degradation of gum tissues. It results from the immune response of the host against pathogens and different microorganisms.
  5. Injury or Trauma
  6. Injury to the bone or tooth structure may cause the teeth to loosen or may damage the jaw bone. Trauma inflicted on the bone may get absorbed and result in mobile teeth.
  7. Clenching Teeth
  8. Teeth grinding in deep sleep or due to stress can damage tissue or lead to mobile teeth.
  9. Osteoporosis
  10. In case of osteoporosis the bones around the teeth may lose their density leading to moving teeth.
  11. Oral Hygiene
  12. Gingiva or gums offer protection to teeth and bone structure. These soft tissues act as a seal against infections for jaw bone and teeth. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene as poor hygiene practices lead to gum problems.
  13. Hormone Changes
  14. During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones may lead to teeth mobility as they affect the teeth ligaments and bones.
  15. Systemic Illness
  16. Conditions like Diabetes and Hypothyroidism should be monitored properly or they can adversely impact the oral cavity, gums and teeth.
  17. Habits
  18. Bad oral habits can disintegrate dental health and damage the tissues in the oral cavity. Tobacco consumption, chewing betelnut and smoking causes teeth stains as well as bad breath.

Symptoms of Loose Teeth

  1. Pain in teeth or gums
  2. Red and Swollen Gums
  3. Gum recession
  4. Suppuration in the gums
  5. Bleeding gums

Preventive Measures for Moving or Loose Teeth

  1. Maintaining Proper Oral Hygiene
  2. Brushing teeth twice a day helps teeth against cavities and promotes good dental health. Good oral hygiene has many benefits like brightening the smile, tooth loss prevention, fresh breath, building confidence and lesser cavities.
  3. Correct Food Diet
  4. Food habits like post-meal gargling, limiting sugar intake, avoiding aerated drinks, having more fruits and green vegetables, etc., aids in good oral health. Fibre rich diet helps in cleaning food remantants from the teeth.
  5. Drinking more Water
  6. Sufficient water intake has a major role in the maintenance of oral health, prevention of bad breath and teeth protection. Drinking 7-8 glasses of water every day helps in dilution of acids in the mouth.
  7. Scaling and Root Planing
  8. Scaling procedures done by dentists help in removing dental calculus and plaque from teeth and gums. Hydrogen peroxide and glycerine are used for adults for smoothening of rough surface post scaling, while fluoride sealants are used for children for tooth decay prevention.
  9. Medications
  10. People can use astringents, gum paints, mouthwashes, broad spectrum antibiotics to fight against oral bacterial infection.
  11. Surgical Procedure
  12. People can go to the nearest Dental Hospital for surgical procedures such as bone augmentation and bone grafting to help keep teeth healthy. It is possible to save a healthy tooth through splinting of the teeth along with gingival flap regeneration.
  13. Dental Aids
  14. Use of dental appliances like dental guards can give teeth protection and prevent damage. The use of aids help in the reduction of teeth stress and minimises occlusion force caused by teeth grinding.

Practising oral hygiene is the first step towards saving teeth, preventing cavities and building overall confidence. Being unaware of dental issues may lead to having no teeth with minimal bone which may reduce the chances of reconstruction. Thus, protecting the natural teeth should be given due importance.