Finding a tooth that has come loose is never a happy experience unless you are young enough to look forward to visits from the tooth fairy. Otherwise, thinking you might lose a tooth can be upsetting or embarrassing. If you are facing this situation, here is what you should do and the first thing is not to panic, as it could be that a good emergency dentist could save your tooth.
There are various reasons why teeth can work loose, and not all will need emergency care, but even so, you must still see a dentist as soon as possible. When a tooth feels loose, the sooner you see a dentist for diagnosis and treatment, the greater the chance the tooth can be saved. Preserving natural teeth is always preferable, and dentists will always work toward this goal, only suggesting a tooth is removed if there is no realistic chance of saving it. The most common reasons why teeth work loose are outlined below.
If you have a vehicular accident or take a blow to the mouth during sports or another incident, you may feel that one or more teeth are loose or have become dislodged from their sockets. This is still an emergency even if the tooth is not completely dislodged. You will need to visit an emergency dentist so they can assess the damage to the tooth quickly.
Severe tooth decay can often lead to tooth loss, especially if the decay has penetrated the innermost part of the tooth, called the dental pulp, a collection of soft tissues, including the nerve, connective tissues, and blood vessels. When decay-causing bacteria reach the dental pulp, they can infect and inflame it, and the inflammation causes the pulp tissue to swell. The resulting pressure causes toothache. Without prompt treatment, there is a real risk of the infection spreading beyond the tooth, affecting the structures holding the tooth in the socket and resulting in it becoming loose.
Periodontal or gum disease is an infectious condition caused by bacteria naturally present in the mouth and where they can build up to unmanageable numbers. This can happen if you do not clean your teeth properly and fail to floss daily, and the bacteria infect and inflame the gum tissues. The infection and inflammation cause gum tissues to recede, and without prompt treatment, can spread to other structures around your teeth, even destroying the bone so teeth eventually become loose. Advanced gum disease is the most common reason for tooth loss.
Teeth can easily become fractured, and if they crack right through the tooth root vertically, forming two separate sections, there is little chance that your dentist can save the tooth. However, it is still worth seeing a dentist promptly, just in case the fracture isn’t so bad and the tooth can be restored.
If you experience problems with one or more loose teeth, contact your dentist immediately. It’s especially important to contact an urgently if your tooth is knocked out or dislodged due to trauma or if you have other symptoms like fever, facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes, and a general sense of being unwell that can indicate a severe tooth infection has spread. In rare cases, a severe tooth infection can become life-threatening, so it’s extremely important not to delay seeking emergency dental or medical care.
Your dentist can offer immediate advice over the phone to help relieve pain and discomfort, and when it is a dental emergency, they will make every effort to see you quickly. Most dental offices keep an appointment or two aside each day, especially for emergencies. When you see your dentist, they will carefully assess the tooth’s condition and will most likely want to take dental x-rays to see the tooth root hidden from view. An x-ray will show them the extent of the damage or infection in a tooth and help determine if it is salvageable. The treatment recommended will depend on the cause of your loose tooth.
If a tooth has become loose because of trauma, your dentist might use a splint to help stabilize it, attaching it to the adjacent tooth or other teeth nearby to hold it in place. Splinting a tooth gives the tooth and the tooth root a chance to become reattached within the jawbone and can save the tooth extraction.
When a tooth is loose because of tooth decay, your dentist must decide if dental treatment can help save it. Sometimes, a decayed or infected tooth can be saved with root canal therapy. This treatment removes the damaged pulp tissues and allows the tooth to be restored afterward, usually by covering it entirely with a protective dental crown. However, if severe tooth decay has resulted in the tooth loosening in the socket, the structures around the tooth may be severely damaged, and it might not be possible to save the tooth.
It can be the same problem with advanced gum disease, especially if it has destroyed the jawbone and periodontal ligaments holding the tooth in its socket. However, your dentist may be able to recommend treatments to get rid of the infection, and they might be able to provide more advanced treatments like gum or bone grafting to help stabilize the loose tooth and save it from extraction.
When a tooth has fractured, it may be able to restore it, depending on the extent of the fracture and whether it is horizontal or vertically through the tooth. Sometimes, a tooth can break off at the gumline, making restoring it trickier. When this is the case, your dentist may be able to use a crown lengthening procedure to uncover more of the tooth so a crown can be fitted over it properly. Otherwise, a vertical tooth fracture may mean there is no other choice but to remove the tooth.
Although your dentist will try to save a natural tooth, it’s not always possible. Other times, the cost of trying to save the tooth might be quite high, for example, if you have a severe tooth infection that requires complex root canal therapy or where a root canal has become reinfected later. If so, your dentist should present you with all possible options. You can, of course, try to save your natural tooth, but if the chances of success are relatively low, then having it removed may be better, and you can spend the money saved on a replacement.
While teeth can be replaced artificially with a tooth-supported bridge or partial or full dentures, depending on the number that need removing, the best solution is often to have a dental implant. Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, a dental implant is self-supporting, relying on a small post surgically inserted into the jawbone for support. It is the only tooth replacement that artificially replaces the tooth root, helping to protect the bone around the implant post from resorption that naturally occurs when you lose teeth. A dental implant is not the cheapest option, but it can be the longest lasting, and you may be enjoying it for life with the proper aftercare.
It isn’t always possible to avoid tooth loss, but there is a lot you can do to reduce your risk, often by simply ensuring you follow a good oral care routine. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day is essential to remove harmful plaque and food debris, and this routine greatly lowers your chances of developing tooth decay or gum disease. Ensure you visit your dentist regularly, usually every six months or more frequently if recommended, and schedule regular dental cleanings at the same time. Having your teeth cleaned professionally is an excellent way to maintain good oral health, and a preventive dental care routine will save you money and time in the longer term, not to mention the potential heartache of tooth loss.
Read more: How Long Should a Typical Dental Cleaning Take?
If you like to play sports, invest in a custom-made mouthguard. Your dentist can make a mouthguard that fits your teeth exactly, providing maximum protection for your chosen sports. Even if you do take a blow to the mouth, it will cushion the impact and could help avoid costly restorative treatments in the future. A custom-made mouthguard is far more comfortable and provides much more protection than anything you can buy over the counter.
Although tooth loss can be upsetting, it is not the end of the world, and modern dentistry can replace missing teeth, sometimes with restorations that look and feel better and more comfortable than your natural teeth.
A loose tooth can be a serious issue needing immediate attention. At Century Medical & Dental Center, our emergency dentists assess the cause, provide treatment, and help prevent complications. Early intervention improves the chances of saving the tooth. Seek prompt care to protect your oral health.
SHARE THIS POST Page Updated on Apr 10, 2025 by Dr. Dvorkina (Primary Care Doctor) of Century Medical & Dental CenterCentury Medical and Dental Center is an accredited healthcare facility in NY that operates in accordance with Article 28, a public health law. This law regulates and recognizes accreditation for public healthcare facilities, ensuring they are licensed and operated correctly. By undergoing the Article 28 process and achieving accreditation, Century Medical and Dental Center demonstrates its commitment to meeting the highest standards of care.
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