If you are wondering how to prevent teeth shifting, then it is important to know exactly what makes this happen. Teeth shift naturally and may shift even more after you stop wearing your dental braces. Teeth need some time to stay in their new positions, or they will go back to their previous locations. If you have not recently removed your braces, then your teeth may shift naturally for other reasons. Age, teeth grinding, teeth damage, teeth growth, and various other factors may all contribute to shifting. Research has largely failed to prove that wisdom teeth can cause your teeth to shift.
Why Do Teeth Shift?
One reason why teeth shift throughout your life is that your bottom jaw does not stop growing. It grows forward in small increments. However, it can cause your bottom teeth to bump into your top teeth from behind. This can cause your top teeth to space out or your bottom front teeth to become crooked and crowded. This only happens if you are not using any type of retainer. The width of your bottom jaw also shrinks as you age. If you are prone to grinding your teeth, then they may wear down and become damaged, which causes them to shift. Tooth and bone loss due to disease or dental procedures may also cause your teeth to shift.
Orthodontic Treatments
If you have an issue with the positions of your teeth, it is important to realize that it will not resolve by itself. It will not get better and most likely will get worse over time. If you have a problem with crowding or spacing, then you should address it as soon as possible. Orthodontic treatment can correct bite issues and problems with crowding and spacing. It is not too late to get orthodontic treatment if you have such an issue. However, it is important to realize that minor issues are easier to correct than more complex ones. As previously mentioned, any crowding or spacing issues that you have now will only get worse if you leave them alone.
How to Prevent Teeth from Shifting
If you have just had orthodontic treatment, then you need to be proactive to keep your teeth where you want them. Teeth are prone to shifting shortly after brace removal. This is why orthodontists provide retainers to put just enough pressure on your teeth to keep them in place. Usually, you wear these retainers at night. You may need to wear them during the day as well for the first few months. The other way to prevent your teeth from shifting is to practice good oral cleaning. Trapped bacteria can eat away at your teeth and deteriorate your gums and bones. Your teeth may start shifting due to this loss of gum tissue and bone. If you are a stomach sleeper, you might want to shift to your side or back. Gentle sustained pressure from your face into a firm pillow is just enough to cause your teeth to move.
Treatment for Shifting Teeth
If you are having difficulty with shifting teeth, then you have some treatment options. Teeth shift naturally, but it is important to take action when you start seeing issues like crowding. If you have problems with grinding and clenching your teeth, then you may need to start wearing a mouth guard at night. Grinding and clenching can cause extensive damage to teeth and make them move. Nightguards are very effective in stopping damage from grinding and clenching. It is also possible that wearing a retainer for life can stop shifting teeth. You may not need to wear it all the time, but even just wearing it at night can help.
If you need dental services like cleaning, braces, implants, or anything else, then reach out to Lovett Dental Gulfgate in Texas today. Contact Lovett Dental Gulfgate at 713-847-8822 to find out more about our dental services and get on the path to a trouble-free smile.