I think I have a loose tooth?

[DecemberRain]

I know it's normal for your teeth to feel weird or loose, and for their to be movement with braces, but one of my canine teeth really feels like it's actually loose and not just braces-loose.

I got my braces put on 5-6 weeks ago and the first 2-3 weeks my teeth felt loose and painful but it subsided after those 3 weeks. Then my teeth, for the most part, felt fine again. Then last week or so, I noticed my front teeth feeling weird again like they were going through another movement phase. They felt exactly like when I first got my braces put on again. I didn't think much of it at first and assumed they'd tighten up again like they did when I first got my braces on, but then the feeling shifted to my canine tooth as well and I noticed a 'clicking' feeling in said tooth when I moved my mouth in certain ways. This went on for a few days and then I noticed a new sensation when drinking something - it felt like when liquid hit my teeth while drinking, that my front teeth kind of pushed backwards. There was a fairly big pressure sensation considering it was just water moving over them. Now, today, I can physically feel the tooth wiggle if I nudge it with my finger and before I was eating the filling of a quiche (ie, not a crunchy/had bit of the crust) and accidentally bit into it with said loose tooth and I got a sharp pain in it. It wasn't like I bit something hard, I bit into a very soft, cream-cheese bit of the quiche and only gently as well as I was trying to chew/bite with the other side of my mouth.

I'm really concerned because I had issues with gum disease when I was in my late teens/early 20s and my oral health has only improved relatively recently (in the last 2-3 years) so I have fairly recessed gums. My orthodontist took an xray though before I got my braces and didn't mention any gum issues so I thought that meant my gums were healthy enough to have braces but now I'm worried because three of my front teeth feel overly weird and/or loose.

I have my first tightening in just under 3 weeks but I'm worried that there's something wrong. My orthodontist doesn't do general dentistry and I'm currently trying to change dentists after my current one got rude with me when I decided not to get braces from him (he wanted to do invisalign but I didn't want that) so I really don't feel like I can go and see him about this due to his attitude. But there's waiting lists to get on dentists lists and I'm a part NHS patient as well which makes it harder as many dentists don't accept partial NHS so I don't know if I'll be able to sign up with a new dentist before my tightening on the 11th November.

Is it normal for my teeth to feel this loose and clicky? Should I see my orthodontist about this now or should I just wait until my tightening appointment to mention it?

Any advice appreciated as I'm quite concerned that I'm going to lose one or some of my front teeth!

[metalliKa]

Your teeth are constantly moving so any loose tooth at any given time is normal. I hear what feels like tiny bubbles popping when my tops touch the bottoms all the time...like my mouth is full of carbonated water. However, given your oral health history, you might just want to call in to your ortho's office and inquire. It could be nothing but it's safer now than sorry later.

[ItsFreyja]

I agree with metalliKa; everything you're describing sounds pretty normal to me. Soreness, clickiness, and sensations of tooth mobility come and go throughout the course of treatment. And, for example, what you're feeling when you drink water is the cold water relaxing the forces of your heat-activated archwire.

It's totally fine to call your ortho when you have a concern, though. They can reassure you or book you for an earlier appointment if your problem is serious. Since it sounds like you haven't discussed your history of gum disease with your ortho, make it a point to do so at your next appointment.

[DecemberRain]

Thanks for the replies. I feel a little better from your comments but I will still follow both of your advice and call my ortho to discuss. And ItsFreyja, you're right, I never did discuss my past dental issues with my ortho. To be honest, she never asked about my dental health at all and as ignorant as it sounds, it literally never occurred to me to bring it up. I thought that's why she did a check up of my mouth and took xrays - to check that my gums/teeth were healthy and had enough bone structure to support movement. She never mentioned them being unhealthy or inquired about any past dental issues so I honestly never even thought to mention it.

[quote]Your teeth are constantly moving so any loose tooth at any given time is normal.[/quote]

I wasn't aware of this. Good to know. I was somehow under the impression that the teeth only moved for the first few weeks after getting the brace on/tightened, and then didn't move again until the next tightening. I basically thought that once the initial soreness had worn off, that the teeth stopped moving and the brace then basically took on the role of a retainer until the next tightening appointment. I didn't realise they'd move constantly. Again, this is something my ortho never explained.

[quote] And, for example, what you're feeling when you drink water is the cold water relaxing the forces of your heat-activated archwire.[/quote]

So that's what that feeling was! That's very reassuring to know!

[DecemberRain]

Apologies for my poor formatting above - I can't seem to get the hang of quoting on this forum (or find an edit button for that matter).

[lilyflower]

This is likely part of the normal process but since you mentioned issues in the past it wouldn't hurt to call up your ortho and ask. Have you noticed any change in your gums around that tooth? Ie, recession, bleeding, swelling?

[metalliKa]

DR, the archwire, in its original form, is a curve but straight and it wants to stay that way. When fitted to your brackets, the shape is slightly alter so it's constantly exerting a small amount of force wanting to return to its originally shape. That's why when you first get fitted, your wire is all crooked and weird looking, but close to the end of your treatment, your wire is straight again. So just because you don't feel pain or soreness after a few days after the adjustment doesn't mean the wire is resting. It's working around the clock.

Hahaha that's how it was explained to me by my ortho tech. I hope it makes sense.

[ItsFreyja]

Good explanation, metalliKa. Also, DecemberRain, remember that you are literally moving your teeth through solid bone. Your body's process of breaking down and replacing that bone so that your teeth can move through it is continuous, slow, weird, and cool. This is an excellent article about the process: http://www.archwired.com/how_braces_work.htm

[DecemberRain]

Thanks MetalliKA, that does make sense! And thanks for that link ItsFreya! Very helpful.

I've just remembered something which might explain my teeth feeling lose. Ever since I got my braces on, I've noticed I wake up sometimes clenching my jaw really hard. Now, I'm not sure if this is a problem I've always had and my braces have made it more noticeable, or if it's only started since I got my braces on. But I'm wondering if this could have an effect on my teeth and make them feel loose, and if I need to mention it to my ortho?

[DecemberRain]

Also, Lilyflower, I haven't noticed and swelling or bleeding on that particular tooth, but I have noticed the tooth directly below it bleeding at the gum slightly after brushing. Never had a problem with that tooth before.

[ItsFreyja]

I've just remembered something which might explain my teeth feeling lose. Ever since I got my braces on, I've noticed I wake up sometimes clenching my jaw really hard. Now, I'm not sure if this is a problem I've always had and my braces have made it more noticeable, or if it's only started since I got my braces on. But I'm wondering if this could have an effect on my teeth and make them feel loose, and if I need to mention it to my ortho?

This is really common and I wouldn't worry about it.

[metalliKa]

[quote="DecemberRain] but I have noticed the tooth directly below it bleeding at the gum slightly after brushing. Never had a problem with that tooth before.[/quote]

This happened to me several weeks ago. The space between my upper right canine and premolar would bleed everytime I floss. It didn't hurt or was it painful but when I ran floss through, it became a little sensitive and bled. When I went in for my 6 month cleaning, I mentioned it to the hygienist and she said it's probably trapped bacteria and for me to continue brushing, flossing and rinsing. It should subside. It did.

So pay close attention to that tooth. It's probably what I had.

[djspeece]

Apologies for my poor formatting above - I can't seem to get the hang of quoting on this forum (or find an edit button for that matter).

To quote a post, go to that message and hit the button that has the quotation mark, and that opens a reply with the quote embedded. You can then trim the quote down or bold parts of it, change color of the font, and so forth.
You have an hour after posting to edit. After that the post is locked down. You'll see a button with a pen icon that opens the post for edits within that hour. I'm not sure of the reason, but suspect it is simply a feature of the app Lynn uses for this board.

[Geostrophic]

I got my braces put on 5-6 weeks ago and the first 2-3 weeks my teeth felt loose and painful but it subsided after those 3 weeks. Then my teeth, for the most part, felt fine again. Then last week or so, I noticed my front teeth feeling weird again like they were going through another movement phase...

Sorry to dig up an old post - but any update on how things are going, DecemberRain? I ask because I'm going through the exact same thing now. Got my braces almost 4 weeks ago now. Thank you!

[Beckett]

Another newbie digging up an old post for a similar reason. That popping feeling...when does it go away? It's driving me crazy. Seems like all 6 top and bottom front teeth are full of bubbles.