Why do I have a loose tooth?

Losing a baby tooth as a child can be an exciting event that leads to money appearing under your pillow. However, as an adult, losing a permanent tooth can be embarrassing and make you self-conscious about your smile. Whether it falls out or is extracted by a dental professional, a missing tooth or missing teeth may also signify serious oral health issues. But you are not alone as two out of three adults aged 35-44 have lost one or more of their permanent teeth.

Why do adults lose teeth? Here are some common causes of adult tooth loss:

• Periodontal disease is the most common reason for the loss of permanent teeth in adults. As the gum tissue is damaged it becomes inflamed and pulls away from the tooth allowing pockets to form. Bacteria seep into these pockets impacting bone and tissue, leading to the tooth becoming loose and sometimes falling out.
• ‍Osteoporis causes the supporting bone structures of the teeth to lose density, eventually loosening teeth. Women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss.‍
• Injuries and oral dental trauma including auto accidents, work disasters, and other unfortunate events – both big and small – can lead to missing teeth.‍
• Poor health choices such as smoking, chewing tobacco, and poor nutrition contribute to missing teeth among adults.
• Autoimmune diseases like diabetes have the potential to create oral health issues resulting in tooth loss.
  

Now that you are familiar with some common causes, here are a few solutions offered by Dr. Ryan:

1. Dental Implants‍

If you have lost one or multiple teeth, modern dental implants deliver permanent tooth replacement. Made of titanium, today's dental implants are designed to fuse with your bone for strength and lasting stability. Natural looking, permanent implants can quickly restore your smile and confidence.

2. Dentures

Removable dentures provide a traditional solution for lost or missing teeth.

3. Implant-retained Dentures

When multiple teeth need replaced, we can use dental implants to permanently secures dentures in place. This unique approach stops bone loss, creates a stronger denture fit, eliminates painful sore spots caused by shifting dentures, and allows patients to speak clearly.

If you have loose or missing teeth and would like to learn more about potential solutions, please contact Dr. Ryan today. We understand the challenges of adult tooth loss and are here to help you navigate the options and choose the best solution for you.