Loose Adult Tooth

[JJones86]

Hi all.

I'm really worried right now. It's been over a week since I got the braces removed from my top teeth.

One tooth in particular, my upper left front tooth, has been really sensitive for about 4 months now. I always assumed it was related to the braces. Even when I still had the braces on the tooth felt odd, a little loose even. I thought it was just related to my teeth being adjusted.

Well, now the tooth is still sensitive and it's hurting. Last night I started to notice it feeling loose. I can't even touch the tooth gently without it hurting.

I'm really scared and I'm not sure what's wrong. I haven't called my dentist yet. I think they're closed on Fridays as well as my orthodontist.

I don't know what to do. Should I try and wait this out or will it get worse over the weekend?

Thanks.

JJ

 

[carole]

Hi I don't know if it will get worse over the weekend. Hopefully not, just be careful with it and ring the dentist first thing Monday if they aren't open on Saturday

 

[JJones86]

Hi Carole.

Thanks for your reply. I actually did call my dentist earlier today. The dentist was out of the office but the staff told me to talk to my orthodontist first. Then if he doesn't know what's wrong my dentist will see me on Tuesday. I'd rather just have my dentist check this tooth. I doubt the orthodontist can do anything. There are no braces where this tooth is anymore.

None the less, I left a voice mail for my orthodontist. They'll call back on Monday, when they're open again.

I'm continuing to wear my retainer full time. I asked my dentist's staff and they said to continue doing that. I'm really afraid the retainer will make the tooth looser. I have to take it on and off all throughout the day.

JJ

 

[carole]

I am just here to wish you good luck for your appointment on Tuesday and hopefully things will be fine. It has been known that sometimes teeth feel loose and then the gums can tighten back up to make them feel firm again.

I have even heard of teeth actually being knocked out and if retained and kept clean they have been put back in and been fine.

I don't know the mechanics of this, but hopefully it will help you not to be so worried. If you were in pain with it your dentist may be able to see you on Monday.

All the best to you

 

[JJones86]

Thanks for your support Carole. I'm going to contact my orthodontist and dentist first thing tomorrow (Monday) morning.

Wish me luck.

JJ

 

[JJones86]

Hi all.

I did speak to the orthodontist about the loose tooth. They said it's normal and to give it about 3 weeks to stabilize. I'm assuming that's 3 weeks from when the braces were removed. The tooth has been sensitive since the braces were removed, but the pain and looseness started a week after they were removed. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since the braces were removed.

I hope that this really is braces related and not my gum disease causing problems. I'm still really concerned that it's the gum disease or the external root resorption that's causing problems. The tooth felt a bit better the last 2 days, so here's hoping.

In general, I'm feeling really discouraged. I'm not seeing an end to this dental work. Where's the light at the end of the tunnel?

I don't think I'm ever going to get back to the point where I have 'normal' dental health. I really screwed up and I'm afraid that this gum disease is irreversible. I'm going to be getting cleanings and check ups every 3 months for the rest of my life now.

I'm really scared now. I go in for my follow up deep cleaning in 3 weeks on 10/15/15 and I asked the office to let me see Dr. R. after my cleaning. I have a bunch of new questions and he also wants to do a follow up exam on me now that I'm getting my braces off. The receptionist said that I could see the doctor right after my cleaning, but she didn't give me a time. I hope she put it in the schedule so that we're not rushed. I also get the braces removed from my lower teeth in 3 weeks. That'll be 10/14/15. I'm glad to get the braces off, but now there's so much work to be done.

I'm really freaked out about my gums. I can definately see severe recession on my upper gums, especially the front teeth. That's part of the reason this loose tooth is freaking me out so much.

I'm not entirely sure what's wrong with my lower gums. They hurt almost constantly. I can't touch them without them hurting, let alone brush or floss well there because it hurts too bad. I asked Dr. R. about this before, because they hurt and because those gums look really bad to me. I think these gums are receeded also, but it might be a combination of two or more problems. I'm not sure if it's partly the gum disease also. Beyond that, Dr. R. said that he thinks it's partly due to my jaw surgery that I had in July 2014. He didn't give it a name, but he said between the braces and the jaw surgery the gums aren't as healthy as they could be.

It's hard to explain. I may need to post a picture. I think my roots on some of my lower teeth are exposed. It's like not just the normal top part of the tooth is showing, but also the pointed part at the bottom. Some of the teeth look like there's hardly any gums around them. I don't know if that's recession or what exactly, but they really hurt. I'm concerned about their current health and their long term health. I really have no information about the treatment for my gums and gum disease at this point. I think the deep cleanings and every 3 month cleanings are supposed to help my gums, but I'm not sure what else we can do. I've read online about gum regeneration surgery and things like that, but I don't know if I'm a candidate for that or not.

I'm sorry guys. I'm just really worried and really stressing right now. I hope Dr. R. can give me some more information about my treatment when I see him after my cleaning in 3 weeks.

Any feedback or advice would be great.

Thanks again.

JJ

 

[Solomunchkin]

Hey there. I am not dealing with the exact same as you, but I do have a loose tooth due to gum disease and bone loss. I had never noticed it as it didn't give me any troubles until after my deep cleaning. The plaque was literally holding it in place. It has never caused me any pain though I am very aware of it now and can feel it if I chew anything too hard. Anyway, when I spoke to the hygienist about it, she said it may stay loose forever, but it might tighten back up again. Or at least the gum surrounding the tooth might tighten back up again.
When I had my tooth pulled 2 weeks ago, I hadn't noticed any improvement, but she assured me it was better than when she first saw it. So she suggested upping my vitamin C intake and take vitamin D regular dosage. I guess the vitamin C promotes skin growth and gum disease is closely related to scurvy, which as we all know is a vitamin C deficiency. The Vitamin D helps your body absorb the vitamin C. She did warn me about possible upset stomach if I took too much vitamin C but if that happened, to just take less. It isn't harmful as is water soluble. I figured I had nothing to lose, apart from my tooth, so started the vitamin C ritual last week and have seen great improvement. My tooth is still a little loose but is getting there. I don't think it will ever be completed solid in my mouth again, but improvement is good. I also noticed the bits of my gums that hadn't quite gone pink, they were still a little bit redder, have now turned pink. So win win!

I take 4000mg of vitamin C a day. So 4 grams. And I take 1 drop of D Drops in a bottle of water every day. Will see how everything is in a month, but so far, am pretty happy with that.

 

[JJones86]

Hi.

Thanks for your post and advice. I've actually tried taking a vitamin regimen for other things before, but I'll add in those things for the teeth and gums also. My problem is that I forget, so I don't stay on a regular schedule.

Thanks again.

JJ

 

[Solomunchkin]

I forget too but what I have done is set myself reminders at work and alarms on my phone so it kind of forces me.