Unlike when you are a child, you should not wiggle out a loose adult tooth. An adult tooth can become loose because of bone loss around the teeth, usually caused by periodontal disease (inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial infection).

It is important to see your dentist to determine the cause and establish ways to treat the problem, not to mention prevent the problem from spreading to other areas of the mouth.

Another common cause of a loose tooth is from excessive clenching and grinding at night or during the day.  You  may need a night guard to protect the teeth and supporting tissues.

In many cases your tooth may heal itself after proper cleaning and oral health care.

If you have a persistently loose tooth, schedule an appointment at our Garden City or St. Vital clinics to determine the cause - together we can find the right solution!

P.S: Have you accidentally knocked out a permanent tooth? Give us a call to set up an emergency dental appointment to place the tooth back in its socket. For more information about what to do when you lose a permanent tooth read our post here.