Loose Teeth from Gum Disease: Causes and What Can Be Saved
For adults whose teeth have gradually loosened or moved with gum disease: causes, grading, treatment and splinting, when a tooth may be removed and how replacement is planned. Looseness may lessen with gum treatment, but no tooth can be promised. NHS guidance says loose teeth with gum disease need an urgent dentist appointment.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, GDC 301711, a General Dental Practitioner and the principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care, reviewed this page. His qualifications include BDS, BSc (Hons) and MSc (Leeds).
Which loose teeth does this page cover?
This page covers adult teeth made gradually wobbly by gum disease (periodontal tooth mobility). A tooth that loosens suddenly, after an injury, or that is painful should be seen by a dentist; see sudden or injury-related loose teeth.
When do loose teeth need urgent dental care?
With gum disease, NHS guidance says loose teeth need an urgent dentist appointment.
If you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111 or visit 111 online. NHS guidance gives these actions:
- Gum disease with other symptoms such as very sore and swollen gums, teeth becoming loose or falling out, ulcers or red patches in your mouth, or a lump in your mouth or on your lip: ask for an urgent dentist appointment.
- Toothache that lasts more than 2 days, does not go away with painkillers, or comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, a bad taste or a swollen cheek or jaw: see a dentist.
- Toothache with swelling around your eye or neck, or swelling in your mouth or neck that makes it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak: go to A&E, but do not drive; ask someone to drive you or call 999.
Why do teeth become loose with gum disease?
Teeth loosen in gum disease because periodontitis destroys the gum attachment and bone that hold them in place.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust explains that, untreated, periodontitis damages bone support until teeth loosen and could fall out or need extracting. Bone loss is not generally reversible; treatment aims to stop it worsening, or in some cases only to slow it. Our page explains how gum disease develops.
How is tooth looseness graded?
Tooth looseness (mobility) is graded by how far a tooth moves, from no extra movement up to degree III, the loosest.
A 2022 trial used this modified Lindhe and Nyman scale:
| Grade | Abnormal movement towards the lip and tongue |
|---|---|
| Degree I | Up to 1 mm |
| Degree II | More than 1 mm and up to 2 mm |
| Degree III | More than 2 mm, or movement up and down |
A 2019 systematic review of 20 studies found mobile teeth at higher risk of loss in periodontitis, as were teeth with bone loss or deep pockets and molars, especially with furcation involvement (bone lost between the roots). Our page on periodontitis explains how the outlook is judged tooth by tooth.
Can loose teeth be stabilised?
Loose teeth can become firmer after deep cleaning, one study suggests, especially if they were only slightly loose.
In a 2026 retrospective US study of 489 loose teeth, 71.2% of slightly loose and 42.2% of moderately loose teeth were stable 12 months after scaling and root planing, and looser teeth and deeper pockets improved less. Within the limits of its design, the treatment appears to reduce looseness, the authors concluded, but 12 months gives no insight into long-term stability.
Scaling and root planing is treatment for gum disease below the gum line, not a routine scale and polish. A 2018 review of heavy biting forces found that reducing looseness may enhance gum treatment, and that treating the bite (occlusal therapy) is indicated within it to reduce looseness and improve comfort.
To ask about loose teeth from gum disease, book online or call 0114 288 2121.
When is splinting used for loose teeth?
Splinting joins loose teeth to neighbours; for teeth loosened by bite overload, European guidance says it may increase comfort and ease gum treatment.
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) stage IV guideline leaves the final choice to the clinician: for teeth loosened by bite overload, temporary splinting and/or limited bite adjustment may be considered during gum treatment, especially its first step, and long-term splinting for comfort where looseness persists or increases.
In preliminary results from a 2021 trial of 34 people with loose lower front teeth, splinting showed a possible quality-of-life gain beyond deep cleaning that was not statistically significant.
When can a loose tooth not be kept?
Leeds Teaching Hospitals may suggest removing a tooth that has lost a lot of bone or is very loose.
Leeds adds that removal can ease cleaning around the adjacent teeth and improve their outlook, while keeping hopeless teeth may result in infection and harbour bacteria that infect other teeth. No one can promise a loose tooth will be saved. EFP guidance advises explaining the diagnosis, alternatives, expected risks and benefits and the consequences of refusing treatment, then agreeing a personal care plan.
How is replacement planned after gum disease?
Replacement is planned around the remaining teeth, which may support new teeth.
For stage IV (very severe) periodontitis, the EFP guideline recommends any interim replacement early in gum treatment and the final one after the outlook of supporting teeth is evaluated, both designed so the teeth can be cleaned well. Fixed, removable or no replacement may be considered between teeth that can be kept; bridges are suggested where the supporting teeth can be kept healthy and restored. See restorative dentistry for saving and rebuilding natural teeth.
Can implants replace teeth lost to gum disease?
Implants may be considered after gum disease, but EFP guidance says the increased risk of peri-implantitis and implant loss should be evaluated.
How much does gum disease treatment cost?
Non-surgical periodontal therapy, root surface debridement, advanced gum disease treatment, regenerative gum treatment, gum surgery and grafting have no line on our current fee list. Neither do BPE screening or full six-point periodontal charting. Ask us about cost.
Frequently asked questions
What gum care is available at Deepcar Dental Care?
Deepcar Dental Care's gum care includes BPE screening at every examination, full six-point periodontal charting, non-surgical periodontal therapy and root surface debridement under local anaesthetic. Treatment of advanced gum disease (severe periodontitis) and regenerative gum treatment are done in house, as are gum surgery and gum grafting.
Are loose teeth a late sign of gum disease?
They tend to be. Leeds Teaching Hospitals explains that teeth loosen once periodontitis has damaged their bone support, and that gum disease often causes no pain and you can be unaware of it for many years. NHS guidance says loose teeth with gum disease need an urgent dentist appointment.
Can teeth that have drifted with gum disease move back?
Sometimes. Leeds Teaching Hospitals lists new spaces and moving teeth as signs of gum disease. For stage IV (very severe) periodontitis with drifting or flaring that orthodontics can correct, the EFP guideline recommends orthodontics once gum treatment reaches its goals, then life-long gum care and retention. NHS guidance says loose teeth with gum disease need an urgent dentist appointment.
Do smoking and diabetes affect whether loose teeth can be saved?
They can. A 2019 systematic review linked smoking and diabetes with a higher risk of tooth loss in periodontitis, and a 2026 retrospective US study linked both with less improvement in loose teeth after deep cleaning. NHS guidance says loose teeth with gum disease need an urgent dentist appointment.
Can a heavy bite loosen teeth with gum disease?
It can add to looseness. Heavy biting forces (occlusal trauma) do not start periodontitis, a 2018 review concluded, with weak evidence that they alter its progress. In teeth that have lost support, the 2017 World Workshop found they cause progressive looseness, usually requiring splinting. NHS guidance says loose teeth with gum disease need an urgent dentist appointment.
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