Why is My Molar Loose?
People are expected to lose their primary, or baby, teeth, which get loose before they fall out, but when a secondary, or adult, tooth is loose, it’s an indication that something is wrong. The secondary teeth are intended to be permanent, which means they shouldn't loosen and they certainly shouldn’t fall out. If you notice that any of your teeth are loose, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. While dentists can often save loose teeth and prevent them from falling out, a loose tooth won’t heal on its own, and the longer you wait to see a dentist, the greater the risk of the tooth becoming irreparably loosened and falling out completely (or needing to be extracted). Certainly, you wouldn’t want to lose one of your front teeth, in the area where the teeth are visible when you smile, but it’s also a problem if you have a molar loose. Molars bear the majority of force from chewing and eating, and if a molar is loose, it can interfere with eating and can also lead to long-term problems with the bite, the alignment of the teeth, and the health of the jaw.
The truth is that people of any age can experience loose teeth and teeth that fall out, and this can happen for a variety of different reasons. The most common cause of tooth loss in adults is advanced gum disease, though adults also lose their secondary teeth because of injury or trauma, certain underlying conditions, and combinations of all of these factors. It’s easy to understand how injury or trauma could lead to a loose tooth, whether it be a sports injury, an accident or fall, or any other kind of traumatic impact to the tooth. While sometimes these injuries can heal on their own, see your dentist right away if you experience an injurious impact to your mouth to make sure the tooth and gums haven’t sustained any unseen damage. Gum disease and other health conditions can also cause the secondary teeth to loosen and eventually fall out, though the process isn’t as direct as it is when injury or trauma occur.
In its more advanced stages, gum disease affects not only the gum tissue but the bone and ligaments that surround and support the teeth, protecting them and holding them securely in the mouth. These tissues and structures make up the periodontium, and when gum disease progresses and affects these tissues, the disease is known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection caused by the proliferation of destructive bacteria on and in the surfaces and structures of the periodontium. When left untreated, periodontitis gradually causes the gums to recede and the teeth to loosen and fall out. As it destroys the tissues in the oral cavity, the gums and ligaments that hold the teeth in place and protect them in a healthy mouth detach from the teeth, and the bone begins to be reabsorbed into the body. When these supporting structures are destroyed, the teeth loosen and eventually fall out.
Other underlying conditions can also cause the teeth to loosen. If you clench or grind your teeth due to stress, the teeth can loosen as they’re exposed to this excessive pressure over time. During times of significant hormone fluctuation, like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, the ligaments and bones can also loosen and make the teeth appear loose, though these changes tend to resolve once the hormone levels have evened. Certain medications can affect the body’s ability to absorb calcium or cause a dry mouth, conditions that can increase the likelihood of teeth loosening, and some health conditions increase the risk of developing gum disease. These health conditions include HIV, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. If you have a loose tooth, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away, and take care to avoid using that area of your mouth while you wait to see your dentist.