Do you have loose teeth?
Then it could be a sign of periodontal disease. But why do you get loose teeth? What is periodontal disease? And how can you treat and prevent it? You can find the answers at Tandliv. Contact us today or read on to find out more.
Why do you get loose teeth?
Loose teeth can be a sign of periodontal disease, which is an inflammatory condition in the supporting tissue of the teeth. As the disease progresses and the supporting tissue breaks down, teeth become more and more loose - eventually falling out completely if not treated in time.
The condition is caused by bacteria being allowed to penetrate the gum pockets. Over time, the bacteria will break down the jawbone, causing the teeth to lose their attachment because they have nothing to hold onto due to the bone loss.
Who is particularly prone to loose teeth?
Anyone can get loose teeth. In fact, periodontal disease is so common that virtually everyone in Denmark will suffer from it at some point in their lives, and it is just as common in men as in women. However, periodontal disease tends to develop faster in pregnant women. Some are also hereditarily predisposed to the disease.
In addition, there are a number of lifestyle and health reasons that can increase the risk of loose teeth - including:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Impaired immune system
- Dry mouth
- Age
- Osteoporosis
Smoking
Smokers have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease than non-smokers, and they are often hit harder. So if you have loose teeth - or if you want to prevent periodontal disease in the future - there's good reason to quit smoking.
Diabetes
People with diabetes have both more frequent and more severe attacks of periodontal disease than others. Conversely, people with periodontal disease also have more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. So there's good reason to be aware of loose teeth if you have diabetes - and vice versa.
Impaired immune system
Because periodontal disease is caused by bacteria on teeth and gums, people with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to the disease. This is because they will be less resistant to the bacterial coatings. Look out for signs of periodontal disease if you have a compromised immune system or are feeling stressed.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth isn't just an inconvenience - it also has an impact on dental health. In fact, dry mouth increases the risk of caries and other dental and gum diseases.
Age
There is a clear link between age and loose teeth. This is simply because as we age, we are more likely to develop diseases that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss after the age of 40.
How to prevent periodontal disease and loose teeth
There are several things you can do to prevent loose teeth, and there are a number of signs you should be aware of to prevent periodontal disease.
Be aware of the signs of gingivitis
Gingivitis is a precursor to periodontitis. That's why it's important to pay attention to gum inflammation symptoms such as bleeding, red and sore gums first and foremost.
Unlike periodontitis, gingivitis is a so-called reversible condition. This means that the inflammation will disappear and the gums will heal completely when you restore good oral hygiene. But it's important to get rid of it before it develops.
You can read more about gingivitis here.
Maintain good oral hygiene
Often it's sloppy brushing and flossing or incorrect brushing techniques that cause gum inflammation and periodontal disease. That's why good oral hygiene is the best prevention.
You maintain your oral health by brushing your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and supplementing with floss or interdental brushes. It's also important to brush your teeth correctly.
Read more about proper brushing technique here, or talk to us for dental care advice.
Changing lifestyle habits and being aware of risk factors
As mentioned, older people, smokers, diabetics and people with compromised immune systems, dry mouth and osteoporosis are particularly prone to tooth loss. If you fall into one of these categories, you should pay special attention to the signs of periodontal disease. If you are a smoker, you should strongly consider quitting smoking completely.
Visit the dentist regularly
Periodontal disease is often asymptomatic in its earlier stages. This means that the disease can be allowed to progress unnoticed. However, as dentists and dental hygienists, we are trained to detect early signs and symptoms that can eventually lead to loose teeth. That's why it's important that you visit us regularly for a thorough dental check-up.
You can read more about dental check-ups here.
How do you treat loose teeth?
Prevention is always better than treatment. However, once damage has occurred, treatment will be necessary.
The treatment itself consists of a thorough cleaning of the gum pockets and cleaning and smoothing of the root surfaces.
The treatment is a close collaboration between you as a patient and us as therapists. This means that we will instruct you on future prevention and motivate you to make any lifestyle changes.
Treatment of loose teeth is mostly a painless process, but in some cases it may be necessary to use a local anesthetic. Tandliv offers painless dental care, so you can feel comfortable in the dentist's chair as a patient with us.
If you have dental anxiety, you can also visit us at the clinic. We understand that some people find it unsafe to go to the dentist, and we always strive to give our patients a safe and trustworthy experience.
You can read more about periodontal treatment here.
