When people think of loose teeth, they primarily imagine children, who get loose teeth as their adult teeth come in. However, it's possible to have loose teeth as an adult, even if your teeth don't have cavities. If you think that one or more of your teeth are loose, there's a strong likelihood that you have gum disease that needs dental care. Read on to learn more about this problem and what you can do about it.
Stages of Gum Disease
There are two standard stages of gum disease: gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is easily reversible at home just by taking good care of your gums and teeth through flossing and using mouthwash. At this stage, there's generally mild inflammation and potentially some bleeding, but the gums are still in relatively good shape.
Periodontitis is the more advanced form of gum disease when real problems happen. Bleeding becomes more common and severe, inflammation worsens to the point where the gums are painful, and the gums also recede away from the teeth. These symptoms are just for starters if left untreated.
When Teeth Become Loose
Periodontitis can cause teeth to become loose because of what the disease does to your gums. Gums normally form a tight seal around your teeth, hugging them and holding them in place. The jaw is also partially responsible for this job, and gum disease can damage the jaw as well, weakening it and making it less structurally sound. As a result, your teeth can loosen and actually become wobbly in your mouth, even if they're not experiencing dental decay.
This condition is serious and requires dental care. Without help, you will most likely lose one or more teeth, and the infection could continue spreading to surrounding tissues. Untreated gum disease can even spread bacteria to the bloodstream, where it can harm your cardiovascular system.
Dental Care
The good news is, dentists can repair the damage done to your mouth by periodontitis and reverse the disease. An extremely thorough cleaning will help to reduce inflammation and allow the gums to heal. In some cases, draining the infected fluid from the gums may be required in order to help beat the infection. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to help your body to fight the bacteria responsible for periodontitis.
If you get dental care soon enough, chances are your teeth will be saved from falling out. If you think your teeth are loose, don't put off seeing a dentist. The sooner you get checked up, the better the odds are you'll keep your teeth. Contact a dental office like Tony Parsley, DMD for more information and assistance.
Share