Causes of Teeth Shifting
Have you looked in the mirror as of late and noticed something different about your smile? This happens often to people every day when it comes to their smiles. Your teeth are overlapped or there is a gap appearing. Teeth shifting is a frequent problem for people of any age, and it might be affecting you today.
Why Are Your Teeth Shifting?
Braces are common with teens, so many people assume that after that age, teeth do not shift. This could not be further from the truth. Teeth do tend to move more dramatically with the growth of a child and their jaw, but shifting happens throughout our lives.
Teeth can shift for a variety of reasons, or even several at the same time.
- Periodontal Disease- Do you remember the lectures about flossing every day? Well, periodontal disease is the result of denying that simple task. It refers to illness or decay in your gums or the bone beneath your teeth. These tissues are critical for supporting your teeth and keeping them in place. When they begin to break down, your teeth can become more mobile.
- Jawbone Changes- It is easy to see face changes as the body goes through the growth spurts of adolescence. Your facial bones continue to change throughout your entire life. Your lower jaw will especially impact the way your teeth shift. As you age, your lower jaw grows forward. At the same time, it will become narrower. This leads to your teeth shifting. First, when your lower jaw becomes narrower, it can cause crowding with your lower teeth and overlapping. Secondly, the changes will also change your bite, or the alignment when your top and bottom teeth come together. This adjustment in pressure adds up and can eventually cause your upper teeth to develop gaps.
- Grinding Your Teeth- Grinding teeth during sleep is more common than most people realize. Some studies estimate that 10% of adults and 15% of kids grind their teeth. Teeth grinding and teeth clenching goes beyond sleeping. It is also a common stress response. People clench or grind their teeth while they are awake and under stress, without realizing it. Grinding and clenching your teeth puts pressure on your teeth, which can cause shifting.
- Lip Aging- Your facial anatomy becomes smaller and thinner as you age, as do your lips. Your lips get smaller and tighter. It may not feel like much, but that slight change puts added pressure on your teeth creating shifts.
- Accommodating Tooth Loss- Tooth loss is a frequent problem. From injuries, dental decay, gum disease, and other reasons, 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. When you lose a tooth, your neighboring teeth take advantage of the extra space. They will shift, spread out and you will develop gaps.
- Skipping a Retainer- Many people who wear braces assume their correction will last. Unfortunately, teeth tend to try to migrate back to their original natural position. You will not see the change from day to day, but over the course of some time you could see your teeth shift after getting your braces off. This is why it is so important to wear a retainer after braces.
If you have questions about teeth shifting and Invisalign treatment, contact us today.