Loose Adult Tooth: Causes and What to Do Next

What does a loose adult tooth feel like?

A loose adult tooth feels like it shifts or wobbles when you bite, chew, brush or floss. You may notice it most when you press on it with your tongue or bite into something firm.

Cleveland Clinic lists other signs that often come with it: red, tender, swollen or bleeding gums, gums that pull back from the tooth, and a tooth that changes color.

Some people also feel that their teeth meet differently when they bite. The American Dental Association says any change in the way your teeth fit together is worth having a dentist check.

Why is my permanent tooth wiggling?

The most common reason is gum disease, an infection that slowly breaks down the gums, ligaments and bone that hold teeth in place. MedlinePlus calls periodontitis the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.

Other causes include a blow to the mouth, years of grinding or clenching, and the hormone surges of pregnancy, which can briefly loosen the tissues around teeth. Smoking, diabetes and certain medicines raise the risk of gum disease.

Gum disease often causes no pain in its early stages, so a loose tooth can be the first thing you notice. Bleeding or puffy gums are earlier clues, and our guides to bleeding gums and swollen gums explain them.

What can I do at home for a loose tooth?

Home care cannot tighten a loose tooth, but it can lower the chance of problems while you wait to be seen. Cleveland Clinic suggests these steps:

• Rinse with warm salt water to calm the gums.
• Swish with an antibacterial mouth rinse twice a day.
• Skip hard, crunchy and chewy foods for now.
• Keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth, as NIDCR advises for healthy gums.
• For soreness, an over-the-counter pain reliever may help. Follow the label, and ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines.

What should I do if an injury loosens or knocks out a tooth?

Call a dentist right away. The AAE, a national dental association, explains that a dentist can move a pushed or shifted tooth back into place and hold it steady with a splint while it heals.

If an adult tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, the part that shows when you smile, not the root. Rinse the root with water without scrubbing, and try to set it back in the socket facing the right way, but never force it.

If you cannot put it back, keep it moist in milk or between your cheek and gum, and get to a dentist quickly. The AAE says treatment within 30 minutes gives a knocked-out tooth the greatest chance of being saved.

Permanent teeth that were pushed out of place often need root canal treatment later, plus follow-up visits to watch the root. Our page on emergency dental care covers what to expect.

Is a loose tooth a dental emergency?

A loose tooth after an injury is urgent, and so is a loose tooth with swelling, pus or a bad taste, since these can be signs of infection. Call a dentist as soon as you notice them.

Some symptoms need emergency medical care right now. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following:

• Swelling in your face, jaw or neck that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
• Swelling that spreads toward your eye or changes your vision
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher with facial swelling
• Bleeding that will not stop with steady pressure
• A serious injury to the face or jaw, such as a possible broken jaw

When should I see a dentist about a loose tooth?

See a dentist as soon as you notice a tooth moving, even if it does not hurt. Cleveland Clinic warns that waiting too long can lead to pain, swelling and infection.

When you come in, your dentist will examine the tooth, your gums and your bite to find the cause and plan treatment. If images are needed, our Murrieta office has digital X-rays and 3D imaging, which you can read about on our 3D imaging page.

Treatment depends on the cause. Cleveland Clinic describes options such as a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), a splint that bonds the loose tooth to its neighbors, a small bite adjustment, or a night guard for grinding. Gum and bone grafts may help in some cases.

If a tooth cannot be saved, it can be removed and replaced with a dental bridge or a dental implant. Implants are placed in our office, from start to finish.

When gum disease is behind the looseness, our gum disease treatment page explains how care works. To be seen, call (951) 677-1054 or request an appointment.

How can I keep my teeth from getting loose?

Healthy gums are the main defense. NIDCR recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth every day, and getting regular checkups and professional cleanings.

A few habits make a real difference:

• Do not smoke or vape. NIDCR calls smoking the most significant risk factor for gum disease, and quitting can improve treatment results.
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, and a mouth guard for contact sports.
• Get enough calcium and vitamin D.
• If you have diabetes, tell your dentist, since it raises the risk of gum disease.
• Treat bleeding gums early. Gingivitis can often be reversed with a professional cleaning plus daily brushing and flossing.

Getting a checkup if it has been a while

If it has been some time since your last visit, our cleanings and exams page explains what a checkup covers. We work with most dental insurance plans, including most PPOs, and you can learn more on our dental insurance page.

Many dental benefits renew at the end of the year, and our team is happy to help you use yours before then.

Questions & answers

Common questions