An estimated one billion adults globally are diagnosed with the leading cause of tooth mobility. A condition that can be remedied by brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily. Understanding the causes of tooth mobility and its risks can help you improve your oral and general health.
What is Tooth Mobility
Tooth mobility is commonly referred to as a loose tooth. While it is expected in children’s teeth, it is more serious when the teeth are loose in adults. It is not normal to have teeth that move from side to side or up and down in the tooth’s socket.
Causes of Tooth Mobility
Lack of oral hygiene
Includes not brushing or flossing your teeth, which allows plaque and tartar to build up. This tooth neglect and not seeing your dentist regularly causes the gums to swell and inflame. These are warning signs of periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth mobility.
Periodontal Disease
Is the cause of most tooth mobility globally. When gingivitis is not treated, it becomes periodontitis. Unfortunately, it also involves the ligaments and bone structure that support your teeth. When a tooth comes away from the gums, these pockets collect food debris, viruses, and bacteria, causing periodontitis or infected gums. If this infection is not treated, it will go deeper into the gums, helping to destroy the teeth and gums.
Bruxism, or Teeth Grinding
Is usually done while adults are sleeping. Many people clench and gnash their teeth while awake. Over time, the force loosens the teeth affected by the grinding and the teeth next to them, making it difficult to treat Bruxism.
Pregnancy gingivitis
Occurs when estrogen and progesterone increase during pregnancy. These hormonal changes can cause gums to swell, bleeding gums as you brush and floss, and, if untreated, can lead to periodontitis and tooth mobility.
Osteoporosis
Is the loss of bone. Not only does osteoporosis cause bone loss in the limbs, joints, and spine, but it also can cause bone loss in the jaw, creating tooth mobility. While women with osteoporosis are at three times the risk than women without osteoporosis, anyone with osteoporosis is at risk.
If you are taking medication for this condition, tell your dentist, as the meds can interfere with some dental treatments.
Mouth Trauma
Happens if you fall and hit your lips and teeth or are hit in the mouth with an object such as a fist, hockey puck, or baseball. These injuries can stretch the tissues and ligaments that hold the teeth in the socket. It can also break or fracture front teeth. If you grind your teeth, you may be at a higher risk for mouth trauma. It doesn’t matter what causes the trauma. You need to see a dentist immediately to evaluate your teeth. Better safe than sorry later!
Could my smoking be causing my tooth to move?
Yes, smoking is a major risk factor for tooth mobility.
It reduces blood flow to the gums, impairs immune response, and accelerates periodontal (gum) disease, leading to bone loss around the teeth.
As the supporting bone weakens, teeth can gradually become loose — sometimes without significant pain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), smokers are significantly more likely to develop severe gum disease and experience tooth loss compared to non-smokers.
If you smoke and are noticing tooth movement, a clinical evaluation is strongly recommended to assess bone support and prevent further progression.
Degrees of Tooth Mobility
In a clinical setting, dentists use a standardized scale to measure how much a tooth moves. While healthy teeth actually have a tiny amount of natural movement (to act as a shock absorber for chewing), “mobility” refers to movement that exceeds those normal limits.
Dentists generally categorize mobility into three specific grades:
- Grade 1 (Slight Mobility): The tooth moves less than 1mm horizontally (back and forth). At this stage, the movement is often barely perceptible to the patient and is usually caught during a routine dental exam.
- Grade 2 (Moderate Mobility): The tooth moves more than 1mm horizontally. At this point, the patient can usually feel the tooth “shifting” when they eat or touch it with their tongue.
- Grade 3 (Severe Mobility): The tooth moves significantly in a horizontal direction and also exhibits vertical mobility (it can be pressed down into the socket or lifted up). This is a critical stage where the tooth is at high risk of being lost.
Loose Tooth Symptoms
- There is an odd feeling of movement when you bite into something, brush your teeth, or floss. The teeth wobble when you press on them.
- It is more difficult to chew than usual
- Malocclusion or bite problems
- Tender, reddened gums
- Pressure on surrounding teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Swelling gums
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing and flossing
- Receding gum lines
Treatments According to the Degree of Mobility
The treatment for a loose tooth depends entirely on the underlying cause—usually gum disease (periodontitis), physical trauma, or “occlusal trauma” (an uneven bite). Once your dentist identifies the cause, they will apply a treatment plan based on the severity.
Treatment for Grade 1 Mobility
At this early stage, the goal is to stop the progression and allow the supporting tissues to heal.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing): Removing plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line to treat early-stage gum disease.
Bite Adjustment (Occlusal Adjustment): If the mobility is caused by the tooth hitting too hard against others, the dentist may subtly reshape the chewing surface to even out the pressure.
Mouth Guards (Night Guards): If mobility is caused by bruxism (clenching or grinding your teeth at night), a custom-made mouth guard acts as a cushion. This redistributes the pressure, allowing the inflamed ligaments around the tooth to “rest” and tighten back up.
Treatment for Grade 2 Mobility
When movement is moderate, more assertive intervention is needed to stabilize the tooth.
- Periodontal Surgery: If deep pockets have formed in the gums, surgery may be required to clean the roots and help the tissue reattach.
- Splinting: The loose tooth is bonded to the stable teeth next to it using a thin wire or composite resin, much like a “cast” for a broken bone. This holds the tooth still so the ligaments can heal.
- Antibiotic Therapy: Localized antibiotics may be applied to the gum pockets to eliminate the infection causing bone loss.
Treatment for Grade 3 Mobility
In severe cases, the priority is either a “last-effort” save or a planned replacement.
- Bone Grafting: If significant bone has been lost, a dentist can place bone graft material to encourage the body to rebuild the support structure around the tooth.
- Guided Tissue Regeneration: Using special membranes to help the bone and gum tissue regrow.
- Extraction and Replacement: If the bone loss is too extensive to save the tooth, the most predictable treatment is to remove the tooth and replace it with a dental implant or a bridge to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting.
Good Oral Hygiene is Key
Healthy oral hygiene habits will eliminate most oral hygiene issues. Brush twice daily, followed by flossing to get the debris the toothbrush can miss. Always brush or rinse your mouth with water after sticky and sweet snacks. Don’t smoke or vape. Eat a diet rich in Vitamins A and D. Wear your night guard to protect your teeth if you grind them at night. Wear a mouth guard during contact sports. See your dentist at least twice a year. Never wait to see a dentist. Waiting makes any oral condition worse and more expensive.
Mark Stern’s Dental Clinic staff is dedicated to making your dental visit stress-free and comfortable. We offer patient-centered care with a holistic approach. Our bilingual staff and dental experts ensure you have a positive experience each time you arrive at our dental clinic in Cancun. We treat Periodontal Disease and specialize in dental implants, Veneers, Root Canals, Teeth Whitening, White Fillings, and Tooth Extraction. If you are a resident of Cancun or a tourist with a dental issue, we are here to give you the best possible dental care. Contact us today to start your journey to improved oral hygiene!
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