What Causes Your Teeth To Become Loose?

For many, loose tooth issues arise from gum problems and bone loss (1). It happens when periodontitis, an infection, destroys the bone and soft tissues supporting the teeth. Other reasons for toothache, shaky and loose teeth include (2) :

Poor oral hygiene Gum disease with plaque Dental injuries or fractures Tooth decay from sugary foods (2)

Osteoporosisi  A condition in which declining bone mass prevents the regeneration of new bones to replace old ones and makes them prone to fracture. (3)

A study conducted on 471,107 US adults found that 30% lost one to five teeth, 10% lost six or more, and 5% lost all teeth respectively. Further, adults with copd were 14% more likely to have lost one to five teeth while 81% more likely to have lost six or more teeth respectively. Dr. Jumoke Adedoyin, DDS, says, “Loose teeth in adults can be a concerning symptom, often indicating an underlying health problem. In most adults, the culprit is typically gum disease, specifically periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth, causing them to become unstable. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to gum disease due to hormonal changes, which is why dentists emphasize the importance of oral health during this time.” Although it is alarming, this dental medical condition is reversible. Let’s look at a few home remedies and dental herbs to set the wobbly tooth straight and make it strong.

Home Remedies For Loose Teeth

1. Oil Pulling

The process of oil pulling or swishing the dental oil around in your mouth can help eliminate impurities by killing harmful microbes residing in the mouth. It can help maintain good oral hygiene and eliminate plaque (4). This may help fix loose teeth. You Will Need 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil (or sesame or olive oil) What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Repeat this every morning. You can also do it once again before going to bed. A vlogger tried the oil-pulling method and shared his experience in one of his vlogs: “I’ve actually had a problem with bad breath for a long time because I drink coffee on a daily basis. And I used to brush a lot. I used to drink a lot of water, but now I’m just doing this oil-pulling technique. It has reduced the bad breath by quite a lot, and it smells much better than before (i).”

2. Amla Powder

Amla or Indian gooseberry can help develop and support connective tissues (5). It can help in tissue regeneration and healing, leading to tightened teeth. You Will Need

1 teaspoon amla powder 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do Mix the powder with water and rinse your mouth with this mixture.  How Often You Should Do This Do this once a day. Note: Do not drink or eat anything for an hour following your rinsing routine.

3. Calcium And Vitamin D Supplements

Calcium and vitamin D are essential for teeth and bone health. A deficiency of these nutrients can cause the deterioration of dental health, leading to loose and shaky teeth. Studies suggest that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements increases tooth retention (6). You Will Need Vitamin D and calcium supplements What You Have To Do Consume the dental supplements as prescribed by your physician. How Often You Should Do This Follow the dosage as prescribed.

4. Garlic

Garlic is a strong antimicrobial agent (7). If your loose tooth is caused by an infection, placing the garlic on it can help in getting rid of the harmful microbes over time. You Will Need A garlic clove What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Repeat this 2-3 times a day.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide thoroughly eliminates all bacteria present in and around the loose tooth (8). These microbes are one of the most common reasons for loose teeth as a result of infection, cavity, and/or plaque. You Will Need 3% hydrogen peroxide solution What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Repeat this once or twice every day.

6. Mustard Oil And Honey

Mustard oil and honey are antibacterial agents with many potential benefits. A mixture of these natural ingredients can help strengthen gums and tighten loose teeth. This is usually used as an endodontic (related to the soft tissues in the tooth) medication owing to its antibacterial property (9). You Will Need

1 teaspoon salt A few drops of mustard oil

What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Use this oil and salt paste once every day for 2-3 days, and then use it once every few days.

7. Indian Redwood Bark Powder

The resin present in the bark of this tree has been traditionally used to treat dental diseases and infections. Studies show that the bark extracts of Indian Redwood have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help to maintain oral hygiene(10). You Will Need Indian Redwood bark powder What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this twice daily.

8. Turmeric And Long Pepper

The active component of turmeric, known as curcumin, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties (11). Massaging the teeth with ground turmeric can reduce pain and inflammation. Indian long pepper possesses analgesici  The property of an agent or drug that relieves pain caused or accompanied by a number of physical conditions. , anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that can also help eliminate the pain that arises at the affected site (12). You Will Need

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon long pepper powder

What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this daily to make your teeth and gums stronger.  Note: Ensure you don’t eat or drink for the next 30 minutes after using this powder.

9. Baking Soda

Baking soda may help improve oral health by acting as a mild abrasive that removes surface stains and plaque (13). Its alkaline nature may also help neutralize mouth acids, preventing tooth decay and gum disease (14). You Will Need

A pinch of baking soda

What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Use this method sparingly, as excessive use of baking soda may erode tooth enamel. Apart from these remedies, it may also help to address the underlying causes of loose teeth. For instance, tartar and plaque buildup often cause gum inflammation, leading to loose teeth. Therefore, knowing how to remove tartar from teeth may help prevent further issues. You may also try salt water gargling. Dr. Zev Schulhof, DMD, MD, says, “Salt water gargling is one of the oldest tricks in the book for strengthening loose teeth. This helps fight infections in the gums which can cause teeth to loosen. It draws out bad bacteria and gives your teeth and gums a deep clean. You can also use mouthwash, and I would specifically recommend mouthwashes designed for gum health. If loose teeth are something you frequently deal with, you may want to consider a calcium supplement, as that can help strengthen your teeth. Ultimately, however, you should see your dentist about this problem.” It is best to check with your dentist before using any of the remedies mentioned above and follow their recommendations to improve your dental health. We have now seen different ways on how to tighten loose teeth at home easily. Remember, these remedies are completely natural and might take a while to show results. We will now see how you can prevent the occurrence of loose teeth.

Prevention Tips

Here are a few ways by which you can prevent your teeth from becoming loose:

Make it a habit to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Apart from brushing, you must floss between your teeth regularly. Avoid smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol. Make sure to consult your dentist regularly to determine if you are maintaining good oral hygiene. If you are into extreme sports, you must wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. Consult your doctor to see if you need to take vitamin D and calcium supplements to help prevent osteoporosis.

Apart from following these tips, it is essential to know how to get rid of cavities to maintain oral hygiene and prevent dental issues. However, before you try any home remedies, it’s always important to consult a dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Jerry Friedman, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, adds, “If you have loose teeth, you should visit your dentist first before assuming that home remedies will do the trick. While there are some home remedies that can help, it’s not worth the risk of potentially losing your teeth simply because you didn’t get the issue checked. In addition to getting help from your dentist, one of the best things you can do is simply clean your teeth really well, daily. Yes, this means flossing! Deep cleaning can help strengthen your teeth and prevent wiggling. I would recommend a water flosser as well.” Is there an exercise I can do to help strengthen my loose teeth? Check out the infographic below to know about the top 5 home remedies to try if you have a loose tooth. Dr. Jennifer Silver, DDS, says, “While there’s no specific exercise solely for teeth, I recommend practices that promote good oral hygiene and gum health. One exercise you can do is gently clenching and releasing your teeth. This helps stimulate the periodontal ligaments and can promote gum strength. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to massage your gums in a circular motion, which can increase blood flow and help to fortify the tissue around your teeth.” Is it normal for teeth to be loose after using dental braces? Braces are meant to readjust the position of your teeth and align them properly. This implies that your teeth may feel loose with braces initially, but after you have completed your course of wearing braces, your teeth will no longer feel loose. What is a splint for your teeth? A dental splint is used to give extra support to loosened teeth until they heal. Lesser biting pressure is experienced after splinting, thus causing no damage to the already loosened teeth. Is losing your teeth hereditary? Certain issues, such as receding gums, which can be a genetic condition, can lead to loose teeth more often than usual. There are other genetic factors that can make you more prone to gum diseases and cavitiesi  Damaged areas in teeth that are characterized by discolored holes and openings due to poor dental hygiene. . These can also lead to loose teeth. How long does a loose tooth take to heal? If the dental surgery involves the use of a splint to set your loose tooth, it can take between 3-8 weeks, depending on the severity of the case. Can a loose tooth tighten itself back up? Yes, a loose tooth can tighten back up on its own. However, this depends on the cause and how loose the tooth is. For instance, a tooth that has become shaky due to an injury can tighten in a week or two. Should you brush a loose tooth? No, you should not brush a loose tooth as it may loosen even further. You can instead clean your teeth by swishing around some water or dental mouthwash inside the mouth. Does milk help a loose tooth? The numerous proteins found in milk can help promote oral health and make your teeth stronger (15). It may prevent the loosening of teeth and improve gum health.

Illustration: How To Strengthen Loose Teeth: Causes And Home Remedies

How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 7How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 75How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 12How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 74How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 50How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 30How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 8How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 19How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 17How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 62How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 68How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 85How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 79How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 49How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 68How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 76How To Strengthen Loose Teeth  Causes And Home Remedies - 88