Why Do Our Teeth Move?
As you get older, you may start to notice that your teeth are starting to move and shift. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, teeth start to move and shift because of the breakdown and rebuilding of bone. This fact is one of the causes of teeth movement, but there are many more. If you’re wondering what could be causing your shifting teeth, then keep reading!
Causes of Shifting Teeth
Teeth grinding – If you grind your teeth, known as bruxism, then the pressure and wear and tear can cause your teeth to move. Wearing a night guard can help.
Weakening tooth enamel – Whether by acid erosion or by injury, losing tooth enamel may change your tooth's shape, which can cause them to move.
Tooth loss – Losing a tooth can mean there’s more space for your teeth to shift within your mouth. It will change your bite pattern and may change your appearance.
Periodontal disease – Gum issues and the breakdown of your tooth's support can cause them to move around, but flossing can help.
Age – As stated above, sometimes your teeth will move around naturally as you grow older. Movement of the jaw, also known as mesial drift, may lead to tooth movement.
What You Should Do About Shifting Teeth
Tooth movement and shifting is not something that will just stop on its own or get better without intervention. Once it begins, it continues, so you'll want to start finding solutions while the problem is small. In fact, prevention with good oral health and using retainers or night guards may prolong your ability to keep teeth shifting at bay.
If you’re happy with the current position of your teeth, but don’t want any more shifting to occur, a nighttime retainer could be a good option for you. Retainers hold the teeth in their current position, and when worn 8-10 hours per night and cared for properly, are successful in preventing shifting.
If you not only want to prevent further crowding or spacing but are also unhappy with the current alignment of your teeth, adult orthodontics may be an option for you. By aligning the teeth into a more ideal position, the long-term stability and health of the teeth can increase. Once the teeth are aligned, a nighttime retainer is recommended to be worn to keep the teeth in place; remember, one of the causes of shifting is the natural aging process, so you’ll always want to have something to help hold the teeth in their ideal position.
Adult orthodontics is not like the braces we remember from back when we were kids because there have been many leading advances in orthodontic technology and appliance design since then. Clear ceramic braces and Invisalign aligners are wonderful options for discreet orthodontic treatment for adults.
Give us a call today to speak with an orthodontist if you have moving teeth and want to stabilize your smile before it gets worse.
