From the Guidelines
Treatment for a loose tooth should be addressed promptly, ideally within days of noticing the issue, to prevent further complications such as tooth loss, infection spread, or bone deterioration. The appropriate treatment depends on the cause of the looseness. For teeth loosened by gum disease, professional dental cleaning (scaling and root planing) is typically the first step, often combined with antibiotics or a chlorhexidine mouthwash. For trauma-related looseness, the tooth may need stabilization through splinting, where the dentist bonds the loose tooth to adjacent stable teeth for 2-4 weeks, as recommended by the management of dental trauma in a primary care setting 1.
In cases of dental avulsion, which can result in a loose tooth, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid suggest that the person should seek dental or medical care immediately, bringing the tooth if not successfully replanted 1. If an avulsed permanent tooth cannot be immediately replanted, it can be beneficial to place the tooth in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution, oral rehydration salt solutions, propolis, or rice water to prevent dehydration 1.
While waiting for professional care, it is essential to avoid chewing on the affected side, stick to soft foods, maintain gentle but thorough oral hygiene, and avoid manipulating the loose tooth. Pain management can include over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Prompt treatment is crucial because a loose tooth indicates underlying problems that can worsen quickly if left untreated. Key considerations include:
- Avoiding delay in seeking professional dental care
- Proper storage of an avulsed tooth if immediate replantation is not possible
- Gentle oral hygiene and soft food diet while awaiting treatment
- Potential need for splinting or other stabilization methods for trauma-related looseness, as indicated by the study on management of dental trauma in a primary care setting 1.
From the Research
Treatment for Loose Teeth
The treatment for a loose tooth depends on the underlying cause of the looseness.
- If the looseness is due to periodontal disease, treatment may involve scaling and root planing, which can help to reduce pocket depth and improve attachment levels 2, 3, 4, 5.
- In some cases, antibiotics such as amoxicillin and metronidazole may be prescribed as an adjunct to scaling and root planing to help reduce the need for additional therapy 2.
- Chlorhexidine mouthrinses or subgingival irrigation with chlorhexidine may also be used to help reduce plaque accumulation and improve periodontal tissue repair 3, 5.
Timing of Treatment
The timing of treatment for a loose tooth is important to prevent further complications.
- Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after the tooth becomes loose, as delaying treatment can lead to further bone loss and potentially result in the need for more extensive treatment 4.
- In cases where the looseness is due to traumatic injury, evaluation and diagnosis should be completed promptly to determine the best course of treatment 6.