If you’ve found that your teeth have shifted out of their positions over time, you’re not alone. The human body is always changing, and the way the face grows and develops as it gets older can alter the alignment of a person’s smile. This can be especially frustrating for anyone who spent a few years in braces to achieve a straighter and healthier smile. Here’s a brief guide to why teeth can shift out of position as well as a few ways to prevent or treat the problem.
Why Have My Teeth Moved?
While teeth might seem like they are permanent and immovable while you are growing up, they adapt to changes in the face’s structure over time. A few things that can change the position of your teeth include:
- Changes in the face as it gets older.
- Injuries or trauma of the face or mouth.
- Chewing habits.
- Bruxism, also called teeth grinding.
- Oral infections like gum disease and tooth decay.
- Loss of jawbone structure due to missing teeth.
In some cases, teeth shifting must be addressed with orthodontics to prevent severe problems like injury, infections, tooth loss, and TMJ disorders.
How Can I Prevent My Teeth from Moving?
While you can’t completely prevent your teeth from changing their positions over the years, there are things you can do to mitigate its effects. A few of these include:
Practice excellent oral hygiene
Gum disease can cause a receding gumline and tooth decay can erode the structure of your teeth. Prevent both of these from happening by taking excellent care of your oral health. A proper oral hygiene regimen includes brushing twice, flossing once, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day.
Quit the tobacco habit
Tobacco use has many negative consequences for your oral health. In addition to staining teeth, nicotine makes the user’s blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow and inhibiting your gums’ ability to heal and fight infections. This can cause your gums to recede and your teeth to shift positions.
Further orthodontics
If your teeth have shifted out of position, treatment with traditional braces or clear aligners may be able to restore your teeth to a better alignment. Consult with your orthodontist to determine which treatments might be right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Isaak Yelizar earned his dental doctorate from the New York University College of Dentistry and completed an orthodontic residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, NY. He is a Board Certified Orthodontist with the American Board of Orthodontics. His offices in Queens and Farmingdale, NY offer orthodontic treatments for adults and teens. For more information on dealing with shifting teeth, contact him online.