How to Prevent Your Teeth From Shifting and Maintain Their Alignment
Imagine going through the motions of your daily morning routine when suddenly you notice something amiss and lean a little closer towards the mirror: was that tooth always there? Are my teeth moving?!
It is natural for teeth to shift throughout our lives. There are many reasons that cause this movement. But don’t worry! There are ways to prevent your teeth from shifting and help maintain their alignment.
Let’s start with the causes of teeth movement:
Aging
As we get older, our bodies change; this is true with the mouth as well. The process of aging causes the muscles and tissues in our oral cavity to weaken over time. These once strong structures that maintained the positions of our teeth are no longer able to perform as well. Additionally, as we age our lips get tighter and thinner, which applies more pressure on our teeth. These natural processes are an unavoidable consequence of aging and will impact the position of the teeth in our mouth.
Jaw Shape
A common misconception is that our body stops growing after a certain age. However, this is not true for the lower jaw (mandible). Our mandible continues to grow forward throughout our whole life. This has ramifications on the position of teeth in our lower jaw. As the mandible grows forward, our lower teeth are forced to move closer and closer together causing crowding. These new pressure points can cause movement in upper teeth and lead to changes in our bite.
Orthodontic Treatment
Our teeth want to stay where they naturally erupted. During orthodontic treatment, we slowly move our teeth out of their comfort zone to a new location, hoping they will soon settle into their new home. However, our teeth constantly desire to move back to their original position. It is common to see regression of orthodontic treatment after completion if a retainer is not worn to help maintain the teeth in their new spot. It is also important to note that the severity of this movement varies depending on the individual.
Missing teeth
Sometimes adult teeth may need to be removed for a variety of reasons. The resulting gap stimulates movement as the surrounding teeth overcompensate for extra space and move to fill the gap. Often the teeth on the right and left move closer together or the tooth above/below the gap erupts further to fill the gap. This instinctive response will cause problems in alignment as our teeth shift.
Grinding (Bruxism)
Our jaw and its muscles are very strong and necessary to aid in the process of chewing food. This is great for eating; however, it can cause problems when we grind our teeth against each other during other times of the day. Clenching and grinding are very common and can occur unconsciously during the day and/or at night. Not only does this excess force wear down the protective coating of our teeth, but it can also cause them to move.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a condition where bacteria infiltrates the gums surrounding our teeth. This disease has many symptoms including reduced gingival health, loss of attachment between the gums and teeth, and lowering of the bone surrounding our teeth. These symptoms diminish the strength of the tissues holding the teeth in place and will lead to mobility and shifting.
While it is scary to list out the many factors that can cause your teeth to shift, it is important to remember there are many solutions that can help keep your teeth in their perfect position.
Good Dental Hygiene: is the most important way to ensure that your teeth stay happy and healthy forever. It will also help prevent your teeth from shifting.
Good dental hygiene includes:
- Brushing at least 2 times a day
- Flossing every day
- Regular dental checkups
If you are bleeding during brushing or flossing, make sure to make an appointment with the dentist to help keep your gums healthy and prevent the development of periodontitis.
Orthodontic treatment
It is never too late to get the smile you want! If you notice that your teeth have shifted due to age, jaw growth or any of the other factors listed above, braces or Invisalign can help achieve perfect tooth alignment.
Replacing missing teeth
The best solution to prevent compensatory teeth movement after an extraction, is to fill the space with a prosthetic tooth. This could mean an implant or a bridge. These treatments would occupy the opening and block teeth from shifting.
Retainer to Prevent Teeth Shifting
The only way to ensure that your teeth stay in their proper position is to remind them every night by wearing a retainer. Retainers can be fixed, a wire glued against the back of your teeth, removable, or can be a plastic mold of your teeth that can be taken out after use. If you are experiencing clenching or grinding, you can obtain a special retainer, known as a mouthguard, that will help protect your teeth from the abrasive forces of clenching while also preventing them from shifting.
If you notice your teeth shifting, this is not a cause for worry. With great oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, tooth movement can be regulated and prevented. If you have any concerns about your teeth shifting, schedule an appointment and we can find the best treatment options for you!