When you were young, you had braces. You loved the results and enjoyed having a perfectly aligned smile for quite a while, but now your teeth have moved. You’re not a child or a teen, so why are your teeth shifting now? Keep reading to learn more about some of the possible causes!
Age
Even though you may be done growing or developing, your body is still changing. With age and time, your bones can lose minerals. In the jawbone, this density loss could make your teeth feel more loose or allow your teeth to shift more easily.
You can’t do much to prevent yourself from aging, but when you work closely with your primary physician and your dentist, you can avoid and/or treat common symptoms of aging, including changes in your bone density.
Tooth Grinding
If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, your teeth bear a lot of force. Not only can this force wear down your enamel, but it can also push hard enough to shift your teeth out of alignment over time.
Fortunately, in this case, your dentist can stop this condition, called bruxism, from further damaging your smile. The best solution is wearing a custom nightguard to keep your upper and lower teeth from touching. Plus, the oral appliance can act almost like a retainer and help keep your teeth in their current alignment!
Gum Disease
Early on, gum disease doesn’t necessarily affect tooth alignment. However, in more advanced stages, the infection attacks the jawbone, which supports and holds teeth in place. As the bone deteriorates, teeth feel less stable and are more susceptible to shifting.
While there is no “cure” for gum disease, it can be treated and managed. Through scaling (or a deep cleaning below the gumline) and root planing (smoothing the rough root surface on the tooth), your gums can heal. Keep in mind that the jawbone doesn’t grow back, which means that a bone graft may be necessary in some instances to regain tooth stability.
Tooth Loss
Your jawbone likes to have teeth fairly evenly spaced. When a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth spread out and fill in the gap.
That’s why it’s so important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible after tooth loss! By putting a dental implant or bridge in the space, you keep the teeth around it where they are supposed to be.
Regardless of the reason for your shifting teeth, your dentist can help you achieve your perfect smile again. To get your teeth back in alignment, you can take advantage of Invisalign or other orthodontic procedures to direct your shifting teeth where they should go.
About the Practice
At Beach Dental, Dr. Alexis Gersten and Dr. Jason Parli treat patients of all ages and are happy to offer Invisalign treatment. Even if you’ve had orthodontic treatment before, they can help you achieve the results you’re looking for with their many years of training and experience. To learn more about Invisalign, you can schedule a consultation at Beach Dental by reaching out to us on our Contact Us page or by calling 631-325-0731.