Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, so knowing that your teeth are healthy and look their best will go a long way towards making great first impressions. That said, teeth don’t always cooperate, and sometimes they can move and shift around from their natural positions—preventing our smile from looking its finest. Here’s more from your dentist in Lincoln about some of the possible reasons for shifting teeth, along with some ways that the issue can be addressed.
Five Possible Reasons for Shifting Teeth
There are several reasons for teeth moving and shifting around, but five of the most common explanations include:
- Aging – As your body ages, it undergoes several natural changes, many of them occurring inside of your mouth. Over time the ligaments, tissues, and fibers composing the jaw muscles grow weak, causing your teeth to loosen. Your lips also contract as you age, which creates pressure on the exterior of your bite and gradually pushes your teeth inward.
- Bruxism – This condition is characterized by the grinding and clenching of teeth, usually without the patient’s realization (it often happens during sleep). This grinding can lead to bite misalignment, enamel reduction, and even changes to the shape of your teeth—and if left untreated, it can progress into a debilitating TMJ disorder.
- Tongue thrust – Your tongue can also cause your teeth to shift! Tongue thrust, also called reverse swallow, happens when you involuntarily push your tongue forward against your teeth. This force of pressure can gradually create a gap between the upper and lower teeth.
- Untreated gum disease – If left to progress, gum disease can completely obliterate gum tissue and bone matter, which can certainly lead to tooth movement and even eventual tooth loss.
- Dental trauma or tooth loss – Sustaining a blow to the mouth can lead to several different problems. Sometimes these injuries can partially extrude a tooth, which means the tooth is still attached but has been shifted out of place. Other times, the tooth can become entirely displaced. In any case, if you have gaps in your smile, the surrounding remaining teeth can eventually shift towards the openings and fall out.
How Your Dentist Can Address the Issue
Tooth movement is difficult to detect with the naked eye—it’s certainly not something you’ll be able to easily observe by staring into the bathroom mirror! It’s also not something that will naturally resolve itself. Regardless of the cause, you should consult with your dentist as soon as possible if you suspect your teeth have shifted. This will prevent additional movement and also give your provider the chance to fix the teeth that have already moved.
Many patients turn towards orthodontics to correct teeth that have shifted out of place; options such as Invisalign clear aligners, for example, have become widely popular due to their discreetness and convenience. Sometimes porcelain veneers can also be applied to give teeth a straighter, more uniform appearance. Oral appliance therapy can also be used to target bruxism if that is determined to be the cause of your shifting teeth. Ultimately, the best solution for correcting your shifted teeth will be your provider’s call—but it’s absolutely possible!
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding received his dental doctorate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry and has taken countless hours of continuing education in a wide range of fields. His practice is pleased to offer several services including Invisalign. If you’re concerned that your teeth have shifted, feel free to contact Dr. Olberding through his practice’s website or over the phone for assistance: (402) 488-2325.