Is It Normal for Permanent Teeth to Wiggle? Permanent teeth — also known as adult teeth — can become loose and start to wiggle for a number of reasons, such as: Underlying medical causes, like gum disease as a result of poor oral hygiene. A build-up of dental plaque.

There are a number of reasons a permanent tooth may become loose. The main causes are gum disease, stress due to clenching or grinding, and trauma, including accidents or sports injuries. Gum (or periodontal) disease is generally considered to be the most common cause of loose permanent teeth.

The most common way is through a bite adjustment, where teeth are altered to equilibrate chewing forces evenly. This results in all the teeth being hit at the same time allowing the loose teeth to heal and tighten up. Another option is splinting teeth together.

One treatment plan for a loose tooth is through tooth splinting. Your dentist will attach a splint or stabilizer to the surface of your loose tooth then bond or connect it to the strong teeth near it. This splint will help your ligaments recover and your loose tooth to strengthen.

Grinding your teeth (bruxism) can cause teeth to shift. And traumatic injuries from contact sports or accidental falls can loosen or even knock teeth out. The good news is that loose teeth can almost always be saved if they’re treated in time.

Prevention

1. brushing the teeth thoroughly twice a day.
2. flossing once a day.
3. refraining from smoking.
4. attending dental checkups and cleanings as often as recommended.
5. wearing a properly fitted mouth guard while playing sports.
6. wearing a bite splint, when nighttime grinding or clenching is an issue.

As your gums heal, they will tighten around the loose tooth. So, if you have a loose tooth, don’t panic. Contact your dentist for an immediate appointment. There is a possibility that your dentist may be able to save your loose tooth using a dental splint or clean your gums so they can reseal the tooth.

Today, three-quarters of people over 65 retain at least some of their natural teeth, but older people still suffer higher rates of gum disease, dental decay, oral cancer, mouth infections, and tooth loss.

One reason why people are more likely to lose teeth as they age is because the teeth become less sensitive. The nerves in the teeth become smaller, and a person is less able to feel pain related to tooth decay or gum disease. Often, the condition isn’t treated until it’s too late and the tooth is beyond saving.

Due to these instructions, both sets of teeth grow when they are supposed to. However, there are no instructions for extra permanent teeth beyond the 32 total permanent teeth. Therefore, once a permanent tooth has grown, if something happens to it, a new tooth will not grow to replace it.