My Tooth Is Loose. How Can a Dentist Help Me?

It might seem like something ripped from the script of a horror movie and it can leave you frantically searching for answers. It’s normal to feel a least a little frightened when you find out one of your teeth is loose. While there’s a chance the tooth may be too damaged to save, there’s always hope. Find out what a dentist can do to treat a loose tooth and learn why you shouldn’t lose hope, even if you’ll lose the tooth. What Causes a Loose Tooth? Gum disease is one of the top causes of loose teeth, but it’s far from the only reason. Over the years, gum disease can eat away at the support structures of teeth and wear down the teeth themselves. Here’s a look at other common causes of loose teeth:

• Facial trauma
• Osteoporosis
• Chronic health issues
• pregnancy

  Can a Loose Tooth Be Saved? Yes, loose teeth can be saved. However, whether a loose tooth can be saved will depend heavily on what caused the tooth to become loose and how severe the situation is. Knocked-out teeth can be replanted and splinted, while teeth loosened by gum disease can be saved through a scaling and root planing procedure. Often called a “deep cleaning” scaling and root planning is a like a standard teeth cleaning procedure that extends to cleaning below the gum line. The process entails “scaling” dental tartar from the teeth, clearing out decay below the gum line and then smoothing over the roots of teeth. If successful, the procedure can help regenerate supporting tissue and secure a loose tooth. What If the Tooth Can’t Be Saved? If a tooth is too far gone, all hope isn’t gone. You can replace the tooth with a dental implant, which can be firmly implanted into the jaw just the way the original tooth was. And with a life-like dental crown attached to the dental implant, your replacement tooth will be indistinguishable from the natural teeth. Talk with a Dentist in Ocala, FL Schedule an appointment with a local dentist in Ocala, FL to learn more about your options for gum disease treatment, dental implants and more.