Without you even knowing it, your teeth can move out of place. But you can keep your teeth aligned with the proper treatment.

News flash: Your teeth aren’t fixed in one place for your entire life! Over time and for various reasons, your teeth can move from their original position. Yet, with the help of your dentist, you can stop them from shifting and maintain straight, healthy teeth.

It’s essential to visit your dentist regularly so any misalignment can be addressed immediately. But first, your dentist will need to determine what is causing your teeth to shift to properly stop the shift from happening.

Why teeth shift: The causes

What’s causing your teeth to shift will dictate treatment options. A thorough exam by your dentist can find the cause. But here are the top five reasons and possible solutions.

Orthodontic work. After years of wearing braces to straighten your teeth, your teeth may still shift after the devices are removed! It has nothing to do with how well the braces worked but rather the natural inclination for your teeth to move back to their former positions.

Solution: Wear a retainer regularly. A removable or fixed retainer keeps your teeth in alignment after the braces come off. But be sure to visit your dentist regularly to ensure the fixed retainer is correctly bonded to your teeth. If not bonded properly, your teeth may shift out of place.

Tooth extraction. A tooth extraction leaves a gap where the tooth once was. Nearby teeth then shift to fill that space. However, this does not apply to wisdom teeth extraction. There is no change in alignment after wisdom teeth are pulled.

Solution: As soon as possible, replace a missing tooth with an implant or dental bridge. 

Teeth grinding. Not only does teeth grinding, or bruxism, wear down your teeth, but the constant pressure of the grating can also force teeth out of place. Bruxism usually happens during sleep but can also occur during the day. 

Solution: Wear a nightguard while you sleep to protect your teeth from excessive damage.

Jaw movement. Yes, your jawbone changes over time, affecting your teeth alignment. Your jaw may grow forward, resulting in friction between your lower and upper teeth and overcrowding. As you age, your jawbone shrinks, potentially causing your lower teeth to crowd together. Your teeth may also shift due to a lifetime of speaking, chewing, smiling, and even coughing. All those pressures add up and result in a change in how your teeth are aligned. In fact, that’s the main reason why adults need braces. 

Solution: You may need braces or other orthodontic treatment to correct your bite and alignment.

Gum disease. Strong, healthy gums hold the teeth in place. But gum disease loosens that attachment, and your teeth may shift out of alignment.

Solution: Talk to your dentist about treatment options for gum disease, which may include tooth planing and scaling.

You can stop teeth from shifting out of place with proper dental care. Brushing and flossing daily, avoiding sugary foods, and quitting cigarettes will keep your teeth and gums healthy. But most importantly, keeping up with your twice-yearly dental appointments can detect any changes in tooth alignment that need to be addressed. The sooner the shift is halted, the better your teeth will be.

Time to get your teeth checked?

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Colorado Springs location today! Our highly trained dentists can check your teeth for any misalignment and suggest solutions. Don’t live near our Colorado Springs office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Colorado Springs
8610 Explorer Drive #315
Colorado Springs, CO 80920