Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, so having a healthy and straight set of pearly whites can go a long way towards making positive first impressions. That said, our teeth don’t always cooperate, and sometimes they can move and shift around from their natural positions! But what causes this movement and how can it be corrected? Here are five possible explanations for shifting teeth, along with how your dentist can address the issue.
Possible Reasons for Shifting Teeth
Teeth can move and shift around for various reasons, but a few common explanations include:
- Natural aging – As you age, your body undergoes several natural changes, with many of them occurring inside of your mouth. Over time, the ligaments, tissues, and fibers composing the jaw muscles grow weak, causing your teeth to loosen. Your lips also contract as you age, which creates pressure on the exterior of your bite and pushes your teeth inward.
- Bruxism – Bruxism is a condition characterized by the grinding and clenching of teeth, usually without the patient’s realization (it often happens at nighttime). This grinding can lead to bite misalignment, enamel reduction, and even changes to the shape of your teeth—and if left untreated, it can progress into a debilitating TMJ disorder.
- Gum Disease – Periodontal diseases can completely obliterate gum tissue and bone matter, which can certainly lead to tooth movement and even eventual tooth loss. Gum disease can also spread to surrounding tissue if left untreated, meaning that more than just your oral health is at risk!
- Tongue Thrust – Tongue placement while swallowing can also cause tooth movement. Tongue thrust, also called reverse swallow, happens when you involuntarily push your tongue forward against your teeth. This can happen when you swallow or talk, as well as when you’re asleep. This force of pressure can gradually create a gap between the upper and lower teeth!
- Dental Trauma or Tooth Loss – Sustaining a blow to the mouth can lead to several different problems. Sometimes these injuries can partially extrude a tooth, which means the tooth is still attached but has been shifted out of place. Other times, the tooth can become entirely displaced—and if you have gaps in your smile, the surrounding remaining teeth can eventually shift towards the opening and fall out.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Tooth movement can be very gradual and difficult to detect with the naked eye. Regardless of the cause, you should consult with your dentist as soon as possible if you’re experiencing shifting teeth. This will prevent additional movement and also give your provider the chance to fix the teeth that have already moved. Several patients turn towards orthodontics to correct teeth that have shifted out of place; options such as Invisalign clear aligners, for example, have become widely popular due to their discreetness and convenience. Sometimes porcelain veneers can also be applied to give teeth a straighter, more uniform appearance.
Ultimately, the best solution for correcting your shifted teeth will be your provider’s call—but it’s absolutely possible!
About the Practice
The team at South Jersey Dental Studio is proud to serve patients and families in the Cherry Hill, NJ area under the leadership of Dr. Joseph Montalbano and Dr. Dara Nikoonezhad. Dr. Joe and Dr. Dara each have several years of experience in various fields, and their practice is pleased to offer many available services including orthodontics. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone: (856) 406-6570.
