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How Does a Dentist Fix Loose Teeth?
Are your teeth loose? If so, you must be having a lot of trouble chewing and perhaps even talking. Worry not – dentists have various ways of fixing loose teeth. This article will give you an insight of what to expect when visiting a dentist to have your loose teeth fixed.
However, before delving into techniques used to fix loose teeth, it is vital that you first understand the underlying cause of loose teeth.
What Causes Loose Teeth?
Gum disease is the leading cause of loose teeth. It happens when bacteria thrive in between your teeth and around the gums. These bacteria produce acidic compounds that corrode the gums, thus making the pockets deeper and loose. If left unaddressed, the effects can go beyond loosening of teeth to severe infections.
If you get punched in your teeth, the chances are that you will walk away without some of your teeth. Injury to the mouth, no matter from what cause, often results in loose teeth. The severity of the loosening depends on the force applied.
Treating Loose Teeth
Fortunately, dentists have come up with various effective ways of treating loose teeth. They are mostly mechanical – this means that your mouth will have to accommodate more than just teeth either temporary or permanently.
Some of the proven ways of fixing loose teeth are:
Splinting is the most common means of treating loose teeth. Consider a fence – the pickets would be the teeth, and the joiners would be the splints.
This method involves inserting splinters through spaces between loose teeth. The splinters hold the teeth in a fixed position and allow the gums to hold them firm in place over some time. However, while splinting is mostly temporary, dire cases often necessitate the use of permanent splints – this means that the splints cannot be removed in the future. Additionally, in some cases, the dentist may need to use guards to complement the splints if the patient has a difficult time biting and chewing.
In addition to stopping loosening of teeth, splinting also helps with biting and chewing and the results are almost instant. The process is not painful or prolonged, but this will depend on the severity of your case.
Occlusal (bite) adjustment is more complicated than splinting, but it is effective for people suffering from mild but prolonged teeth loosening.
Bite adjustment involves reshaping the teeth’s biting surface – this involves grinding, but it is not painful. The trick is to reduce the sharp force by flattening the teeth and trying to even their length. However, it takes the skills of a highly experienced dentist and an understanding of the patient’s precise biting and chewing mechanism.
Orthodontic treatment is not commonly used for loose teeth, but it is useful in many cases. In this case, the dentist fundamentally repositions the teeth in a bid to distribute the biting force.
Orthodontic treatment is quite complicated, so it should only be done by a skilled and experienced dentist. Additionally, some patients may find it painful and complicated. However, it is very effective and, if done correctly, it can even support the regeneration of lost bones and tightening of gums.
The Bulk Lies with You
Prevention is always better than cure. You can prevent your teeth from getting loose in many ways, and you can also accelerate the healing process if they are already loose. Dentists recommend that you do the following to keep your teeth firm and intact:
Poor hygiene causes numerous oral problems, including gum disease and, consequently, loosening of teeth. It is advisable to always keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Dentists also recommend toning down of sugary foods and snacks as they support the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease.
As explained, trauma is one of the leading causes of loose teeth. As such, it helps to stay safe and keep your mouth from any injury. It entails being cautious to avoid accidents and avoiding fights – remember, even professional boxers wear mouth guards to protect their teeth.
Effects of Loose Teeth
Loose teeth come with varying results depending on the condition’s severity. Some of the most common effects are:
Pain and Discomfort
Patients often experience pain and discomfort especially when biting and chewing. The intensity of the pain depends on the condition’s severity – in some cases pain is insignificant.
The loose pockets in your gums become open to bacteria and other germs. It results in a wide array of infections and diseases.
If left unchecked, then loose teeth will eventually fall off the gums going ugly gaps and making the gums prone to infection.
If you are suffering from loose teeth, then take the necessary measures by visiting a dentist to have the teeth fixed – it will save you a lot of pain and much worse problems. Additionally, remember to uphold good hygiene and stay safe to keep your gums healthy and intact.
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