don't always
mean extraction
A wobbly tooth can be alarming — but with the right treatment at the right time, many loose teeth can be stabilised and saved. Let us assess your situation and show you what's possible.
Why are your teeth loose?
Tooth mobility in adults is not normal and always has an underlying cause. Identifying it is the first step to effective treatment.
Advanced Gum Disease
Periodontitis destroys the bone and ligaments holding teeth in place. This is the most common cause of loose teeth in adults — affecting 3 in 4 Singaporeans to some degree.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Chronic grinding or clenching places excessive force on teeth, gradually loosening them over time. Many people grind at night without knowing it.
Injury or Trauma
A knock to the face, sports injury, or biting down on something hard can damage the ligaments supporting a tooth and cause sudden mobility.
Pregnancy Hormones
Elevated progesterone and oestrogen during pregnancy can temporarily affect the ligaments and bone supporting teeth, causing mild mobility that usually resolves after delivery.
Osteoporosis
Reduced bone density from osteoporosis can weaken the jawbone that supports your teeth, making them more vulnerable to loosening, especially in post-menopausal women.
Medical Conditions
Diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and certain medications (including some blood pressure drugs) can affect gum health and bone integrity, contributing to tooth mobility.
Loose teeth need prompt attention. Book a check-up before it gets worse.
Book via WhatsAppTooth mobility scale
Dentists grade tooth mobility to determine severity and guide treatment decisions. Here's what each grade means for your prognosis.
Grade 1 — Slight Mobility
The tooth moves less than 1mm in any direction. You may notice a slight wiggle but the tooth still feels functional. This is often the earliest detectable sign of periodontal problems.
Good prognosis — usually saveable with treatmentGrade 2 — Moderate Mobility
The tooth moves more than 1mm side-to-side but is not depressible in the socket. You may feel uncomfortable biting on it. Significant bone loss is usually present on X-ray.
Fair prognosis — may be saved with comprehensive treatmentGrade 3 — Severe Mobility
The tooth moves in all directions including vertically (can be pushed into the socket). Extensive bone loss surrounds the tooth. It may feel painful and interfere with eating.
Guarded prognosis — extraction may be necessaryWhen can a loose tooth be saved?
The earlier you seek treatment, the better your chances. Here's what affects whether a loose tooth can be stabilised and retained.
Factors in your favour
- Early-stage mobility (Grade 1-2)
- Cause is identified and treatable
- Adequate bone still surrounds the tooth
- No active infection or abscess
- Good overall health and healing capacity
- Commitment to follow-up maintenance
Factors that reduce chances
- Severe mobility (Grade 3)
- Extensive bone loss on all sides
- Tooth has large untreatable infection
- Uncontrolled diabetes or smoking
- Tooth is non-restorable (heavy decay)
- Delayed treatment over many months
Even if a tooth cannot be saved, we will discuss replacement options like dental implants to restore function and appearance.
We can often save loose teeth with the right treatment. Let us assess yours.
Book a ConsultationHow we treat loose teeth
Your treatment plan depends on the cause and severity of mobility. We may use one or a combination of these approaches.
Deep Cleaning & Root Planing
Removes bacteria and tartar from below the gumline. By eliminating the infection causing bone loss, the tissues can heal and tighten around the tooth. Often the first-line treatment for gum disease-related mobility.
Splinting & Stabilisation
The loose tooth is bonded to neighbouring stable teeth using composite and fibre material. This distributes biting forces and allows the supporting tissues to heal while keeping the tooth functional.
Gum Surgery & Grafting
For moderate to advanced cases, flap surgery allows direct access to clean deep pockets and smooth damaged bone. Gum grafting can restore lost tissue and improve the support around teeth.
Bone Grafting
Regenerative procedure that places bone graft material into areas of bone loss. Over several months, your body incorporates the graft and rebuilds bone support around the affected tooth.
Night Guard for Grinding
A custom-fitted occlusal splint protects teeth from grinding forces during sleep. By reducing the trauma to loosened teeth, mild mobility from bruxism can often improve over time.
Warning signs you need help
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's time to see a dentist. Early intervention gives you the best chance of saving your teeth.
Increasing Mobility
A tooth that's getting progressively looser over days or weeks indicates worsening bone loss.
Pain When Chewing
Discomfort or sharp pain when biting down suggests the tooth's support structures are compromised.
Teeth Shifting Position
Gaps appearing between teeth or teeth drifting out of alignment indicate underlying bone changes.
Gum Recession
Teeth looking longer as gums pull back, exposing root surfaces — a sign of advancing gum disease.
Bad Taste or Smell
A persistent foul taste or smell around a loose tooth may indicate infection in the surrounding tissues.
Difficulty Biting
Avoiding certain foods or sides of your mouth because a tooth feels unstable or painful to use.
Transparent pricing and Medisave claims handled for you.
WhatsApp UsTreatment costs at Trust Dental
Transparent pricing with no surprises. We explain all costs before treatment begins.
CHAS & Medisave eligible. Scaling is CHAS subsidised for all cardholders. Periodontal surgery (gum surgery and bone grafting) is Medisave claimable. Our staff will check your eligibility and help with all claims paperwork.
Understanding loose teeth
In-depth guides to help you understand your condition and make informed decisions.
Why Are My Teeth Loose?
Detailed guide to all causes of tooth mobility in adults — from gum disease to grinding to systemic conditions.
Read guide →Loose Teeth vs Tooth Loss
When can a loose tooth still be saved? Understanding your options and the decision between saving and extracting.
Read guide →Gentle treatment, honest advice. That's how we do things.
Related treatment pages
Detailed information about each treatment option available for loose teeth.
Scaling & Polishing
Professional plaque and tartar removal. The foundation of gum health and prevention of further bone loss.
Deep Cleaning & Root Planing
Thorough sub-gingival cleaning to treat gum disease and help stabilise loose teeth.
Gum Grafting & Surgery
Surgical treatment for advanced periodontitis. Restores gum tissue and bone support around loose teeth.
Common questions about loose teeth
The most common cause is advanced gum disease (periodontitis), which destroys the bone supporting your teeth. Other causes include teeth grinding (bruxism), injury or trauma, hormonal changes during pregnancy, osteoporosis, and certain medical conditions or medications. A proper examination with X-rays will identify the specific cause in your case.
In many cases, yes — especially if caught early. Teeth with Grade 1 or early Grade 2 mobility often respond well to treatment. Success depends on the cause, how much bone remains, and whether you can maintain good oral care after treatment. Your dentist will assess your specific situation and give you an honest prognosis.
Costs depend on the treatment needed. Deep cleaning starts from $150 per quadrant. Splinting starts from $100 per tooth. Gum surgery starts from $500 and is Medisave claimable. Scaling starts from $85 (CHAS subsidised). We always provide a full cost breakdown before beginning any treatment.
After treating the underlying cause, mildly loose teeth may feel more stable within several weeks to a few months as the gums heal. Splinted teeth are stabilised immediately, with surrounding tissues strengthening over 4-8 weeks. The timeline varies based on severity, cause, and your overall healing capacity. Your dentist will set realistic expectations.
Tooth splinting bonds a loose tooth to its stable neighbours using a thin fibre ribbon and dental composite. The splint distributes biting forces across multiple teeth, reducing stress on the loose one. It allows the supporting tissues to heal without the constant movement that would prevent recovery. Splints can be temporary or semi-permanent depending on your needs.
Alternatives include deep cleaning to address gum disease, splinting for stabilisation, gum surgery to reduce pockets and regenerate tissue, bone grafting to rebuild lost support, and night guards for grinding-related mobility. The best approach depends on the cause and remaining bone. Not every loose tooth needs extraction — we always explore saving it first.
Yes — advanced gum disease (periodontitis) is the number one cause of loose teeth in adults. When plaque and bacteria accumulate below the gumline, they trigger inflammation that progressively destroys the bone holding your teeth. As bone is lost, teeth become mobile. This is why regular scaling and early gum disease treatment are so important for prevention.
Yes. Periodontal surgery — including gum surgery and bone grafting procedures for loose teeth — is Medisave claimable at Trust Dental. Routine treatments like scaling and deep cleaning are not Medisave claimable but may be subsidised through CHAS. Our team will check your eligibility and assist with all claims.
Absolutely. Even a single loose tooth warrants prompt assessment. It may indicate a localised abscess, injury, or gum disease affecting one area. Early assessment gives you the best chance of saving the tooth. Delaying often allows the problem to worsen, potentially affecting neighbouring teeth as well.
Yes. If bruxism (teeth grinding) is the cause, treatment involves a custom-fitted night guard that protects teeth from excessive forces during sleep. Once the grinding forces are managed, mild mobility often improves over time as the periodontal ligament recovers. In some cases, adjusting the bite (occlusal equilibration) may also help.
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Conveniently located in Jurong West and Clementi — serving families in the heartlands since day one.
Don't wait — early treatment gives you the best chance
The sooner a loose tooth is assessed, the more options you have. Whether it's a single wobbly tooth or several that feel unstable, our team will give you an honest assessment and a clear plan forward.