Have you ever looked in the mirror and realized that your smile looks different than you remembered? If your teeth suddenly look slightly crooked when they hadn’t before, this may mean that they’ve shifted. The following are some of the factors that cause teeth shifting.
Aging: As we age, our facial anatomy starts to become smaller and thinner. Our lips begin to contract and get smaller and tighter. This puts pressure on your teeth over time, and can begin to push the teeth out of place.
Changes in bone density: Our bone density starts to change as we get older. The jawbone begins to shift forward, which can lead to the connection where it is attached to the teeth becoming weakened. As a result, the teeth may shift.
Tooth grinding: Bruxism is a condition that is characterized by tooth grinding and jawbone clenching. Over time, this can begin to forcefully move the teeth out of place.
Tooth loss: If you sustain a blow to the face while playing contact sports or due to an accident, this may cause you to lose a tooth. Certain illnesses can also cause tooth loss. When we’re missing teeth, nearby ones will start to shift to fill the space.
Gum disease: Also called periodontal disease, this gum infection is often caused by improper oral hygiene. Though gum disease is easy enough to treat or even reverse if caught early on, it can begin destroying tissue and damaging the jawbone if left untreated for too long. This may result in teeth shifting.
Involuntary pushing: Some people unintentionally thrust their tongues against their teeth. This may gradually cause a gap to form between the upper and lower ones.
How to Prevent Teeth Shifting
There are a variety of ways that your dentist can help you prevent or correct teeth shifting:
Invisalign – This can move the teeth into the correct position. You will need to wear a retainer after treatment to prevent the teeth from moving back.
Replacement teeth – Getting dental implants, dentures, or another tooth replacement option can prevent this.
Mouthguard – If you play contact sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. If you have bruxism, a nightguard creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth.
Practice good oral hygiene – Brush twice and floss once per day to prevent oral health issues.
How to Correct Teeth Shifting
For teeth that have already shifted, you can improve how they look by getting:
Dental crowns – These cover the visible part of a tooth and can make teeth that have shifted look straighter.
Veneers – These attach to the front of the teeth and can make them look more uniform.
Dental bonding – This option is cheaper and less durable than veneers but fixes the same issues, including shifting teeth.
If your teeth have shifted, make an appointment with us at Impact Dental Care. We will help get your smile back on track!
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At Impact Dental Care, we provide a full range of dental services in Lorton, Stafford, and Woodbridge. We take care of most of your dental needs in-house, including dental bridges and dental implants. We have sedation certified dentist, so sleep dentistry is always an option. We are dedicated to provide excellent service, quality care, and patient convenience. Click here to learn more and to set up an appointment.
