4 Possible Causes of Shifting Teeth

When it comes to moving teeth, you probably think of orthodontics. Whether through braces or aligners, the field corrects crooked smiles by pushing pearly whites into new positions. However, it’s entirely possible for teeth shifting to occur without an appliance. You’ll want to see your dentist for available treatment options if that happens to you. To learn more, here are four common causes of shifting teeth and ways that dentistry can fix them.

4 Common Causes of Shifting Teeth

Teeth can shift over time for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common ones, though, include:

Aging

As you age, your jawbone and ligaments decline along with the rest of your body. They thus weaken, which sometimes causes teeth to loosen and shift your bite.

Aging facial features can affect things too. Growing older means your lips will contract more, pushing your teeth inward as they put pressure on your bite’s exterior.  

Teeth Grinding

Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding can move pearly whites through force and wear. It’s not very rare, either, as 10% of adults and 15% of children grind their teeth. It’s a typical stress response and often happens while you sleep.

Besides teeth shifting, bruxism can also trigger enamel loss and changes to teeth’s shape.

Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis and gum disease can lead to tooth movement. By destroying your gum tissue and jawbone, they weaken the supports that keep teeth in place.

Tooth Loss

When you lose a tooth, the resulting gap draws your remaining teeth towards itself. In other words, it causes the other ones to shift.

How Can My Dentist Correct Shifting Teeth?

Dentists have several treatments that can remedy your shifting teeth. In particular, consider those below:

• Porcelain Veneers – While these ceramic layers are often used to hide chips, stains, and fractures, they can conceal dental misalignment too.
• Invisalign – By wearing clear, straight aligners for a year or so, this option would realign your shifted teeth back to their ideal location. Plus, the straightening process would be subtle and not draw much attention.

While tooth movements are ordinary enough, you don’t have to live with them. Talk to your local dentist about procedures that would put your smile back in its proper place.

About the Practice

Infinite Smiles Dentistry is based in Owasso, OK. As led by Dr. Mark Gaches, the practice places your comfort and dental needs above all else. That said, its staff offers high-quality preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency treatments when needed. They’re also qualified to provide Invisalign orthodontics. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (918)-928-2383.