Emergency · Tower Dental Blackpool

Loose Tooth
Treatment

A loose adult tooth is not normal. It usually means advanced gum disease or trauma. Call us for an urgent assessment — early treatment can often save the tooth.

Emergency from £71. Consultation £40.

Why adult teeth become loose

The most common cause is periodontitis — advanced gum disease that has destroyed the bone supporting the tooth. By the time a tooth feels loose, significant bone loss has already occurred. Other causes include trauma (a blow to the face), teeth grinding (bruxism), or a failed dental restoration.

A loose tooth is a warning sign that requires urgent attention. If the cause is gum disease, the infection is active and progressing — other teeth may be at risk. If the cause is trauma, the tooth may be repositioned and splinted if treated quickly.

How we treat it

Your dentist assesses the degree of looseness, takes X-rays to evaluate bone levels, and determines the cause. For gum disease, intensive periodontal treatment (deep cleaning below the gum line) can stabilise the tooth if enough bone remains. A splint may be used to bond the loose tooth to stable adjacent teeth while healing occurs.

If the tooth cannot be saved, extraction is performed gently under local anaesthetic. We then discuss replacement options — implant, bridge or denture — and provide a written treatment plan with costs. The priority is always to save the tooth if clinically possible.

When to call us

Call as soon as you notice the looseness. Do not wiggle the tooth. Eat on the opposite side. Avoid hard foods. The sooner the cause is identified and treated, the better the chance of keeping the tooth.