A loose tooth can progress and eventually detach completely from the gums and bone. This can occur with severe gum disease or from unresolved teeth grinding. Treatment, however, can improve the health of your gums and bones. This also promotes healing and strengthens 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.

There is no shortage of causes when it comes to a loose tooth. It may be because a buildup of plaque and tartar has gotten so severe that it’s reached up and underneath the gums. Over time, this causes the gum to move away from your teeth, resulting in gum disease, pain, and infections in the mouth.

The most common reason as to why a permanent tooth doesn’t erupt is because there isn’t enough space for it. Permanent teeth at the front of the mouth are wider than the primary teeth that they’ll replace so if there’s not enough space, the permanent tooth won’t have room to come in.

If your child has not lost any teeth by the time he turns 7, talk to your dentist. Most likely there won’t be a problem, but the dentist may suggest taking X rays to make sure that all the teeth are under the gum. In fact, there’s actually an advantage to getting permanent teeth late, Dr. White says.

Paint-on teeth whiteners consist of a gel that is applied to the tooth using a small brush. Paint-on whitening gel hardens into a film that coats the treated tooth, and dissolves in the mouth. As with any teeth whitening regimen, it is wise to consult with a dental professional before treating discolored teeth.