The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Loose teeth can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like loose teeth here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here loose teeth is often associated with tinnitus, poor bone development and late closure of fontanelle in the pattern “Kidney Essence Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of loose teeth we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Zuo Gui Wan can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Kidney Essence Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause loose teeth
In Chinese Medicine loose teeth is a symptom for the pattern "Kidney Essence Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
Kidney Essence (Jing 精) Deficiency usually involves Deficiency of Kidney Yin and, to some extent, Kidney Yang. Its symptoms are typically in relation to growth, development, reproduction, sexuality, bones, marrow, the brain, teeth, memory and hair.
In addition to loose teeth, other symptoms associated with Kidney Essence Deficiency include tinnitus, poor bone development and late closure of fontanelle.
Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
A herbal formula that might help with loose teeth
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with loose teeth?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which loose teeth is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Essence Deficiency include tinnitus, poor bone development and late closure of fontanelle.
The three Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat loose teeth
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with loose teeth?
Because it is a key herb in Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' (a pattern with loose teeth as a symptom)
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Eclipta Herb (Mo Han Lian) help with loose teeth?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat loose teeth as can be seen on Eclipta Herb's page.
Eclipta Herbs is a Cold herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Yin of the Liver and Kidneys. Clears Blood Heat and stops bleeding.
Why might Drynaria Rhizome (Gu Sui Bu) help with loose teeth?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat loose teeth as can be seen on Drynaria Rhizome's page.
Drynaria Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang, the Governor Vessel, Qi and Blood. Supplies Essence and supports growth. Strengthens the sinews and bones as well as clears Cold and Dampness. Treats infertility and impotence.
Other symptoms often associated with loose teeth
Tinnitus Back pain Impaired hearing Traumatic injuries Conjunctivitis Alopecia areata Vitiligo Infertility Impotence Urinary difficulties