When you smile as you are looking in the mirror, you might notice changes in your teeth. For example, shifting might have occurred if your teeth used to be straight. That leads us to think about how to prevent teeth shifting. Shifting teeth occur for a variety of reasons. In this guide, we are looking into why it happens, how to prevent it, and why it is beneficial to learn about preventing teeth shifting.
Why Do Teeth Shift?
Learning how to prevent teeth shifting involves understanding why it happens. For example, if you had braces in your teens, you might believe your teeth will remain straight. Let’s look at some potential reasons explaining why teeth shift:
- Aging lips: As we age, our lips tighten around our mouths. While it is not always noticeable, that extra pressure against your teeth causes them to shift.
- Changes in jawbones: As you age, your jawbone undergoes a series of changes. For example, teeth can shift as your jaw continues growing forward as you age.
- Not using a retainer: Many assume the corrections braces make in their mouths are lasting. However, if you do not wear a retainer when your braces come off, teeth shifting occurs.
- Periodontal disease: This disease means decay is affecting the bone beneath your tooth or your gums. Those mouth tissues are critical for tooth support.
- Teeth grinding: Studies suggest that approximately 10% of adults might grind their teeth when asleep. Grinding and clenching teeth cause teeth to shift.
- Tooth loss: If you have missing teeth, the teeth surrounding those areas shift to accommodate those gaps.
How to Prevent it
Even though we want to learn how to prevent teeth shifting, it is not always possible. As you can see from many of the examples in the list above, teeth shifting causes are out of your control. For example, you cannot control how your jaw grows or changes shape.
You can take several steps to prevent teeth from shifting that include:
- Correcting existing shifting: You can get braces or use aligners to correct shifting and straighten your teeth.
- Dental implants: Correct the gaps in your mouth using dental implants. Once they are in, they prevent your teeth from shifting.
- Focus on proper oral hygiene: Keep your gums and bone tissue healthy by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist routinely.
- Prevent teeth grinding: Visit your dentist to fit your mouth for a mouthguard.
- Wear your retainer: After you get your braces taken off, wear your retainer as prescribed.
Why Preventing Teeth Shifting is Beneficial
If you have worn braces for an extended period of time, you want your teeth to stay straight. Beyond the appearance of your smile, learning preventative measures for keeping your teeth from shifting is beneficial. That way, you do not have to continue experiencing frustration each time you see your teeth shifting when you look in the mirror.
For example, your teeth might be shifting because you rest your chin on your hand too much. If that is the case, you might also be experiencing headaches and muscle pain. Making changes to your posture helps provide relief for that pain while simultaneously preventing your teeth from shifting.
You might also notice that your bite is misaligned because teeth shifting is occurring. You will benefit from learning how to prevent teeth from shifting because your bite will improve. You might need braces or aligners to correct your bite and then a retainer to prevent it from happening again.
Reach Out to Lovett Dental Piney Point Village
Do you have questions about how to prevent teeth shifting? Have you noticed a change in your smile and want to fix that issue? Solutions and preventative tips are available. Contact Lovett Dental Piney Point Village at 832-242-2030 to learn more about how to prevent your teeth from shifting, as well as ways we can help.
