Loose adult tooth

What it can mean

The most common cause of a loose adult tooth is advanced gum disease, where infection has destroyed the bone that anchors the root — often without much pain along the way. Other causes include a knock or injury, heavy grinding, an abscess at the root, or bite problems that overload one tooth.

Whether the tooth can be saved depends on how much support is left. Caught early, gum treatment and splinting can stabilise it; left too long, extraction and replacement become the only options. Either way, sooner is better.

How we can help

• X-rays to measure remaining bone and find the cause
• Deep cleaning and gum treatment to stop further bone loss
• Splinting, a night guard, or — if needed — extraction and an in-house implant