Symptoms of Shifting or Shifted Teeth
Overtime, it is normal for adults to experience slight movement in their teeth. As we age, the lower jawbone tends to narrow and push forward, leading to crowded and overlapping teeth. Other factors can affect the degree of movement such as gum health and other health problems. These can lead to further complications including a misaligned jaw.
Periodontal disease can lead to tooth mobility and even tooth loss. Gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to accumulate on the teeth along the gum line and hardens and tartar. Tartar then causes gum recession and eventually bone deterioration, leading to mobility in the teeth.
Symptoms of Shifting Teeth
Shifting teeth often happens slowly over the course of a few years so you may not notice anything until it is very apparent. Some signs that your teeth have shifted include gaps in the teeth, new crowding, tooth pain and sensitivity, an ill-fitting dental appliance, or an off-center midline. The midline is where the space between your two front teeth on the top and bottom align with your nose and the space between your eyes. If the midline of your teeth is off, your teeth may have shifted.
Teeth shifting is a gradual process and does not typically cause pain overnight but you may begin to notice that your teeth are more sensitive than they used to be or that you suddenly have a weird bite. Malocclusion can lead to other issues including chronic headaches and fractured teeth.
Prevent Shifting Teeth
There are a number of ways that you can prevent teeth shifting including good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing to prevent gum disease, regular dental check ups and professional cleanings, and wearing oral appliances as directed.
Shifting Teeth After Orthodontia
The whole point of a retainer is to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original place after orthodontic treatment! Our teeth like their original position and would like to return to it so it is crucial to wear your retainer as directed to prevent your teeth from shifting back out of alignment.
During orthodontic treatment, the teeth are pushed, pulled, and rotated into alignment. As pressure is applied, the gum tissue and jaw bone soften, allowing the teeth to move. Once the braces are off or the aligner trays are done, the retainer works to hold the teeth in their new position while the bone and gums regenerate and become strong again so they can hold the teeth in place. This is the reason that you will likely need to wear your retainer all the time for a few months and then will be allowed to wear it only to bed.
Having straight teeth is not only for aesthetics, straight teeth are generally healthier and are definitely easier to clean and treat. You do not have to have orthodontic treatment to have a retainer to help keep your teeth in alignment. Speak with your dentist to see if they can provide either a permanent or removable retainer.