Causes of Teeth Shifting
Shifting teeth is very common in children as they grow and since their jaw grows with them, making room for adult teeth. But children are not the only ones that experience shifting teeth. Adults may notice movement over time though it is usually more of a slow shift. When a patient goes through orthodontic treatment (like Invisalign) to straighten their teeth, teeth can still try to shift back to their original place in the mouth. This is why most everyone is given a retainer to sleep in, or may even have a permanent retainer cemented to the backs of their front teeth, to keep them in place.
There are other factors that can cause an adult’s teeth to shift including periodontal disease, tooth loss, and even teeth grinding.
What causes teeth to shift?
Not Wearing Recommended Appliance
If your dentist or orthodontist gives you a retainer to wear at night, and you do not follow instructions regularly, your teeth will shift on their own in an effort to return to their original position. Having your teeth straightened with orthodontic treatment is not only an aesthetic procedure, straight teeth are overall healthier and easier to maintain than teeth that are crooked and overlapping. Using your retainer as directed helps keep teeth in place, ensuring a straight and healthy smile.
Changes in the Jaw Bone
As we age, our facial structure changes and the lower jaw often becomes more narrow and tends to push forward. As the jaw changes, it causes the lower teeth to crowd together and overlap. These changes can also change the way your upper and lower teeth come together when you bite, which can lead to a host of other issues!
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is actually pretty common among adults. It is often just a part of the aging process but can also be a result of gum disease or injury. When a tooth comes out and is not replaced with either a dental bridge or implant, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift together in an effort to close the gap. This in turn leads to spacing in other areas. If you have to have a tooth extracted in anticipation of an implant, your dentist will provide an appliance for you to wear to maintain the space and keep the teeth from shifting together.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and grinding that many people do in their sleep. Grinding your teeth can cause a lot of problems like tooth fracture or worn teeth. It also can cause your teeth to shift out of alignment. A night guard is an oral appliance that you wear while you sleep that helps relieve the pressure put on the teeth when clenching and grinding. If you clench your teeth in response to stress during waking hours, your dentist can provide a day guard, which acts much like a retainer, fitting over your teeth and buffering that pressure. These appliances can help keep your teeth in alignment!
Gum Disease
Gum disease often starts as gingivitis, indicated by puffy and bleeding gum tissue. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to advanced periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause problems not only in the gum tissue, but in the jaw bone as well. When the gum tissue remains infected and untreated, the underlying jaw bone will begin to deteriorate and can lead to mobility in the teeth. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you experience puffy gum tissue or if you bleed during your oral care routine. Caught early, gum disease is relatively simple to treat!