Adults who wore braces when they were younger normally wear retainers to keep their teeth from moving back to their original positions. However, did you realize that even if you never had orthodontic treatment, your teeth could still shift out of place? If this issue is ignored, it could end up seriously impacting your bite – not to mention the appearance of your smile! Learn more about why your teeth might shift and how your dentist can use Invisalign® or another treatment to reverse the damage.
What Can Cause Your Teeth to Shift?
In some cases, shifting teeth could simply be a part of the aging process. As you grow older, the bones and other tissues in your jaw tend to weaken; this loosens their hold on your teeth and make it more difficult for them to withstand the pressures of chewing. Also, there are some people who might be at risk for shifting teeth for genetic reasons.
That said, shifting teeth can also be a side effect of another oral health problem. Common causes include:
- Gum Disease: Infected gums tend to pull away form the teeth, making them less secure.
- Gaps: If there’s too much empty space between your teeth, sooner or later their alignment will start to change.
- Tooth Loss: After an extraction, you need to have the gap filled quickly, or else the remaining teeth will move forward to fill the space.
- Teeth Grinding: Constantly grinding or clenching your teeth at night could eventually push them out of place.
- Cavities: Severe decay can change the shape of a tooth, causing your other teeth to shift in order to accommodate.
What Can Be Done About Shifting Teeth?
To avoid the long-term consequences of misaligned teeth, your dentist might suggest an orthodontic treatment to push them back into their rightful places. Oftentimes they’ll recommend Invisalign, a treatment that uses a series of clear plastic aligners. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and moves your smile slightly closer to its ideal alignment. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is virtually invisible and can be taken out of your mouth for meals and important events. After about 18 to 24 months, your grin will be significantly straighter and healthier.
If only your front teeth have shifted slightly, you may consider using Six Month Smiles in order to make the necessary corrections sooner. This particular orthodontic treatment uses clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, making it far less noticeable than traditional braces. As the name implies, it will only take about six months to make the desired changes.
Regardless of the cause of your shifting teeth, you’ll want to seek treatment as soon as you realize there’s an alignment issue. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to require a more complex orthodontic procedure. If your smile has started to look a little crooked, call your dentist today!
About the Author
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington served as a dentist in the United States Air Force for 12 years; eventually, he started his own private practice in Castle Rock in 2002. He makes it a point to stay current with today’s market of dental skills, materials, and techniques, which is why he offers Invisalign and Six Month Smiles as alternatives to traditional braces. If your teeth have shifted recently, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kennington by visiting his website or calling (360) 274-9100.