{"id":2515,"date":"2023-04-20T10:44:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T10:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/?p=2515"},"modified":"2023-10-30T01:33:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T01:33:03","slug":"reasons-for-teeth-shift-and-available-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/reasons-for-teeth-shift-and-available-treatments\/","title":{"rendered":"Reasons for Teeth Shift and Available Treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Reasons<\/p>\n

Like other body parts, your mouth can constantly be changing, too. You might realize that one or more of your teeth might not be where they used to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wondering if that\u2019s normal. Let\u2019s find out! We\u2019re here to help you understand why your teeth might shift and what you can do about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The periodontal ligament and cementum material connect your teeth to your jawbone. These allow your mouth to withstand force from regular activities like chewing. They allow flexibility over time, so your teeth may shift naturally throughout your life. This also allows for treatment that can deliberately alternate your teeth and bite position.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what can cause these teeth shifts?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Growth<\/b><\/p>\n

It might surprise you, but your lower jaw never stops growing! It keeps growing forward, causing your lower front teeth to bump into your upper front teeth. Even though this happens on a small magnitude, this can cause crowding or spacing between your teeth. Over time, these changes can affect your bite. Your lower jaw also reduces in width over time, causing crowding in your front lower teeth. Some people may not need any work, but some may require treatments like bridgework to correct this.<\/span><\/p>\n

Teeth Grinding<\/b><\/p>\n

Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding<\/a><\/strong> and clenching are destructive processes that can cause your teeth to wear out. Grinding your teeth may also cause teeth shifts over the years. It can occur due to the shorter teeth and bite changes that bruxism can cause. Teeth grinding can even damage the surrounding tissues that support your teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gum Disease<\/b><\/p>\n

Periodontitis (gum disease<\/a><\/strong>) affects the gums and supporting tissues that keep your teeth in place. They cause inflammation in gum tissue and bones, resulting in bone loss. Hence, tooth shifts are one of the complications of periodontitis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dental Procedures<\/b><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve had dental procedures like tooth alignment<\/a><\/strong> done, it may have shifted your teeth from their natural position. You may have noticed that once you stop wearing braces or aligners, your teeth may return to their natural positions. For some of you, your dentist might suggest retainers permanently bonded to your teeth after treatment. But these, too, are still at risk of some teeth shifts. Some researchers suggest this is caused by retainers not being appropriately bonded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gum diseases and bone loss can also cause teeth shifts once your braces come off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tooth Loss<\/b><\/p>\n

Tooth loss, even from a tooth extraction<\/a><\/strong> by a professional, can cause tooth shifts. The surrounding teeth may try to fill the space left by the lost tooth, not just by adjacent teeth but by the teeth above\/below the space, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Canines pose a greater risk of this. If you lose a canine tooth, the adjacent teeth might shift to fill the space left by the loss. Hence, the standard advice is to replace lost teeth with implants, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aging<\/b><\/p>\n

The aging of your lips affects your smile and can change the pressure on your teeth, too. Since your lips enclose your teeth on the outside, this pressure can affect the natural placement of your teeth. As your lips get tighter with age, the force can cause your teeth to crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do?<\/h4>\n

Now that you know what can cause your teeth to shift, you must wonder what you can include in your oral care to avoid tooth shifts and the problems they can cause. Here are a few things you can look into!<\/span><\/p>\n

Good Oral Care<\/b><\/p>\n

Like other dental issues, good oral care prevents tooth shifts, too. Maintaining good oral hygiene<\/a><\/strong> can help prevent gum disease and tooth loss that it can cause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To maintain good oral care:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n