Why Does My Tooth Feel Loose? Causes and Treatment

When a permanent tooth feels as though it is loose it can be a very worrying issue. When gently prodded with a clean finger there is often little to no actual movement. This can cause some disconcerting feelings and can happen quite often in practice.

Your teeth are held firmly in place by your jaw bone using a dense collection of fibers known as the periodontal ligament. If there is any swelling, fluid build up or nerve irritation within this tissue then the brain interprets this as the tooth being loose. Understanding why your tooth is feeling loose will help protect your teeth in the long term and will give you peace of mind.

What Is Periodontal Ligament Tissue?

Your teeth are not directly attached to your jaw bone. Instead there are thousands of tiny collagen fibers wrapped around the root of your tooth. This acts as a natural shock absorber allowing for tiny movements under heavy chewing pressure.

• Swelling – The blood vessels within the periodontal ligament become inflamed causing fluid to build up. This causes mild pressure on the root of your tooth.

• Nerves – The nerves around the root become irritated causing the central nervous system to interpret it as a slight loosening.

• Healthy Periodontal Ligaments – Healthy periodontal ligaments will naturally move very slightly (fraction of mm) under pressure. When you are feeling anxious you are very sensitive to this normal movement.

Can Bruxism Make Your Tooth Feel Loose?

Grinding your teeth at night can put huge pressure on your teeth. Normally we chew with light pressure but when grinding at night there is constant heavy pressure on the root of your teeth.

How Does Teeth Grinding Affect Your Teeth?

• Over Stretching – Heavy pressure from grinding can stretch the collagen fibers wrapped around the root. This causes the ligament to become inflamed overnight causing your tooth to feel raised/loose.

• High Spot – One tooth will become raised causing most of the bite force to go onto this tooth. This causes the ligament to become fatigued.

However if you fix the pressure from your bite early the periodontal fibers will return to their normal tightness.

Can Gingivitis and Early Periodontitis Cause a Loose Tooth Feeling?

Gingivitis and early periodontitis are amongst the most common reasons for periodontal ligament tissue changes. Bacterial plaque builds up along the gum line causing localized swelling.

How Do Gum Problems Affect the Tooth?

• Plaque Build Up – Harmful bacteria cause inflammation to the soft gum pockets around the tooth.

• Swelling – Swollen gums become inflamed causing pressure onto the top of the root.

• Early Attachment Changes – Whilst the bone underneath is completely fine in early stages the inflamed soft tissue gives the illusion of movement.

This can be fixed by having a professional clean from the hygienist to remove hardened tartar from under your gums.

Can Trauma to Ligaments Make a Tooth Feel Loose?

Recent dental work or sudden changes to your bite can cause trauma to your ligaments.

What Dental Treatments Can Cause Ligament Trauma?

• New Fillings/Crowns – If you have had a new filling or crown fitted recently they will be slightly raised causing extra pressure on your teeth whilst chewing. This causes trauma to the ligament below causing inflammation.

• Orthodontic Movement – Clear aligners or braces are designed to cause trauma to your periodontal ligaments to move your teeth. This often causes a loose feeling.

Your dentist will quickly polish your high restoration causing your bite to return to normal. The inflamed ligament will heal within a few days.

Can Hormonal Changes Make Your Teeth Feel Loose?

Hormonal changes can affect the connective tissues and blood vessels in your mouth.

Which Hormonal Changes Can Affect Your Teeth?

• Pregnancy Hormones – During pregnancy there is lots of progesterone in your body. This causes your connective tissues to become relaxed and causes your collagen fibers to become looser (including your periodontal ligament).

• Menstruation/Hormonal Contraception – There can be a temporary increase in oestrogen/progesterone causing increased blood flow to the area. This causes the ligament to swell.

• Bone Density – Hormonal changes during menopause can affect bone. This should be monitored closely.

When Should You See a Dentist for a Loose Tooth Feeling?

Whilst your tooth isn’t an emergency, seeing a dentist will ensure that any underlying issues are not made worse.

• See a dentist – If you are feeling your tooth is loose for longer than 3-5 days book an appointment for an examination.

• X-Rays – Dentists will take digital x-rays to check the bone density, root health and depth of your gums.

• Don’t prod – Don’t prod, wiggle or pull your tooth with your finger/tongue as this will cause more trauma and inflammation to your ligaments.

How Can You Protect Your Tooth?

There are ways you can protect your periodontal ligaments whilst waiting to see your dentist.

• Use a soft brush – Gently brush your teeth using an ultra soft manual toothbrush to avoid irritating inflamed gums.

• Use a night-guard – To prevent bruxism wear a bespoke night-guard whilst sleeping.

• Eat soft foods – Reduce chewing pressure on the affected side by eating soft healthy foods.

• Floss – Be gentle when flossing once a day.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About a Loose Tooth Feeling?

Can Stress Make My Tooth Feel Loose?

Yes! Stress can cause you to involuntarily clench your jaw and grind your teeth at night. This causes constant pressure on your periodontal ligaments causing them to become inflamed.

Will the Inflamed Ligament Heal?

Yes! Usually once the main cause of irritation has been removed (raising a high filling, wearing a night-guard or getting a professional clean) the collagen fibers will tighten up and fully heal.

How Will the Dentist Know If My Tooth Is Loose?

The dentist will use specialized metal tools to gently prod your tooth. They will check how much your tooth moves compared to the next tooth. They will also take targeted digital x-rays to check the bone level and thickness of the periodontal ligament.

Feeling like your tooth is loose when it isn’t means there is localized irritation to your ligaments, too much pressure from your bite or early gum inflammation. Knowing the signs early will allow you to take action to protect your natural smile. Get in touch with your dentist to get checked by a professional.