Teeth Shifting: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments Options
Your teeth are constantly moving, even though you can’t see them. Your teeth will continue to shift ever so slightly throughout your life, even if you’ve undergone braces or other dental procedures.
Some of the major teeth-shifting causes include:
- Changing jaw shape as one ages
- Teeth moving back to shape after alignment or surgical process
- The shift caused due to biting, chewing, and talking
- Teeth grinding, gum issues, and other dental disorders
There are several actions you may take to maintain a proper alignment of your teeth. Continue reading to find out why teeth move and what you can do to limit it.
Your teeth will usually get displaced from their normal position if braces or other orthodontic treatments have been used to fix their alignment.
Once you have removed the braces or alignment trays, your teeth will also begin to shift back to their original locations. Some people may experience more movement than others, while some people’s dental positioning might alter very little.
People who have a fixed or lingual retainer, which is a retainer that is bonded permanently to your teeth following orthodontic treatment might also experience teeth shifting.
Teeth Shifting Symptoms:
- Midline shift– Your two upper and lower front teeth should line up with the middle of your nose and eyebrows if your teeth are properly aligned. In case you notice the slightest change in this symmetry, then it is a teeth shifting symptom
- Bleeding gums– a symptom of periodontal (gum) issues that could make teeth shifting more likely.
- Teeth Gaps– This is a typical and obvious indication that your teeth are moving. Additionally, gaps could be a symptom of periodontal (gum) problems developing.
- Teeth sensitivity– Your teeth could be shifting if they feel more sore or sensitive than usual.
- Poorly fitted retainer -. Your retainer has to be carefully fitted to your straight teeth by your orthodontist. Therefore, if your retainer no longer fits, it means your teeth have moved.
Teeth shifting treatment:
Naturally, the body changes as we get older. Like wrinkles, tooth movement develops over time as a natural aspect of ageing. Thankfully, by keeping proper oral hygiene and following a few easy steps, we can delay unpleasant teeth changes. Here are some teeth shifting treatments and preventive measures you can take to solve your problem.
Removable Retainers– The likelihood is that your orthodontist will fit you for a retainer once your braces have been removed. You might be told to wear it exclusively at night or for as many hours during the day and night as possible. Following your orthodontist’s advice is one of the most crucial things you can do to maintain the alignment of your recently straightened teeth.
Stop Grinding Your Teeth – Even though you might not be aware of it, a skilled dentist can probably detect the indicators of teeth grinding by observing the wear patterns on specific teeth. Mouth guards that are worn at night are also quite useful. Also, stop grinding your teeth as it may lead to further complications along with just teeth misplacement.
Good Dental Hygiene – One of the most basic teeth shifting treatment as well as preventive remedies is practising good dental hygiene.
These habits include
- brushing twice a day
- daily flossing and routine dental examinations
- avoiding practices like smoking that can impair your oral health
- frequent dental checkups.