Loose Teeth and Bite Problems
When a child gets their first loose tooth, it is often a cause of celebration but as an adult, it certainly is not. When a tooth is not secured in its socket, it can create difficulty or even pain when biting and chewing. Furthermore, a loose tooth runs the risk of requiring extraction or falling out completely.
Loose teeth and issues with biting can create serious problems to a person’s overall oral health. And if the issues are not addressed, they will only get worse. This could cause one or two dental issues to compound into many and make it more difficult for a dental professional to effectively correct them. As such, patients should seek prompt treatment if they notice any loose teeth or bite problems.
Loose Teeth Issues
There are various reasons why a person may experience a loose tooth or teeth, but the most common reason is attributed to poor oral hygiene. If the teeth are not flossed daily and brushed at least two times daily, it is inevitable that gum and teeth issues will be experienced in a matter of time. Bacterial plaque will buildup and if not removed, will lead to the bones holding teeth in place to weaken and teeth begin to loosen.
People can also get loose teeth if they clench or grind their teeth. Long-term clenching and grinding places excessive force on the teeth and gums, stretches the periodontal ligaments that join the teeth and jawbone, and can cause the teeth to loosen. These behaviors can also lead to bone loss, jaw pain, and rapid tooth wear.
Finally, loose teeth can occur if the person experiences trauma or an injury to the face.
Treating Loose Teeth
If the loose teeth occur due to poor oral hygiene, the primary method of treating the issue will be to undergo a professional cleaning to remove the periodontal disease. Once the disease is cleared away, loose teeth will typically reattach to the gums by themselves allowing them to be firm and strong once again.
Should loose teeth occur from clenching or grinding the teeth, patients will likely be prescribed a mouthguard to wear at night. And if loose teeth occurred because of an accident or trauma, it may be necessary to place a dental splint to support the tooth until it can heal.
Bite Issues
People typically experience bite problems because of a genetic predisposition or from having crooked teeth. Although crooked teeth can also be genetic, many people develop crooked teeth because of behaviors like tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. Those with crooked teeth often experience jaw issues as well.
Some of the commons bite problems people experience include:
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Open Bites
- Crowded Teeth
Treating Bite Issues
Using dental splints or wearing a mouthguard are two common methods for treating bite problems. In other cases, braces may be used to combat bite problems by realigning and straightening the teeth. And for those that require restorative dental work, may find bite correction therapy necessary to resolve the bite issues.