Wisdom teeth are your third molars, they sit at the back of your mouth. Most people get them between the ages of 17 and 25, but they can also develop after. They can cause problems because they’re the last adult teeth to appear so there’s often not much room left in the jaw by then.
Not everyone develops wisdom teeth, and not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. But when they do cause issues, they tend to need attention fairly quickly.
There are many reasons why a wisdom tooth can become loose. Here are a few:
Gum disease is one of the most common causes of loose teeth. It can break down the bone that holds your teeth in place if it’s not treated. Bleeding or swollen gums and a wobbly tooth are signs worth getting checked by our periodontist.
Wisdom teeth are difficult to keep clean, so bacteria can accumulate and lead to infection. If a dental abscess develops, it can damage the bone around the tooth and make it loosen.
If wisdom teeth have not fully completely through the gum line, bacteria and food particles can get trapped under the gum flaps, causing infections and leading to the tooth getting weaker.
When there’s not enough space in the jaw, wisdom teeth can push against the teeth next to them or erupt at awkward angles, putting pressure on the surrounding area.
Wisdom teeth are hard to reach with a toothbrush, so cavities they can get cavities. If decay goes untreated, it can weaken the tooth enough to make it feel loose.
Get it checked. A loose wisdom tooth won’t fix itself, and waiting can make things worse. If an infection occurs, it could spread or develop into an abscess, which is more painful and more complicated to treat.
There are a few things you can do in the meantime before you come to see one of our dentists:
What happens next depends on what’s causing the issue. One of our dentists will examine the tooth, take X-rays (and a 3D CBCT scan if needed), and talk you through your options.
In many cases, the best option for a loose wisdom tooth is to have it extracted. Wisdom teeth don’t play a major role in chewing, so removing one won’t leave a gap that needs to be filled. At Pearl Dental Clinic, we offer same day wisdom tooth extractions with our experienced dentists. For more complex cases, you can see out specialist Oral Surgeon.
If gum disease is the reason for the looseness, extracting the tooth is only part of the solution. You may also need treatment from our periodontist to address the gum disease and protect your remaining teeth. This could include a deep clean, dental hygiene treatment, or more targeted gum therapy.
If there’s an active infection or swelling, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to get the infection under control before any further treatment is carried out.
If you’ve got a loose wisdom tooth, don’t wait for it to get worse. At Pearl Dental Clinic, we offer emergency appointments 7 days a week, 9am to 10pm. Whether you’re an existing patient or new to the clinic, we’ll see you as quickly as we can.
Our team includes experienced dentists and a specialist oral surgeon for complex cases, so you’ll be in good hands whatever the situation. You can get to know our dental team here and explore our patient reviews to see why patients have trusted us since 2007.
To get started, call us on 0208 547 9997, send us a WhatsApp message, or book your appointment online at a time that suits you.
Whatever you need, our friendly team is looking forward to hearing from you.
Simply get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
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