Teeth may shift over time for various reasons. Luckily, your dentist can help stop — and in some cases, reverse — tooth movement. If you are concerned that your teeth are shifting, reach out to Greenwood Dental care by calling 855.528.3961 to stop the problem in its tracks.
Dental Retainers & Night Guards
Teeth may shift after the removal of dental braces. Rather than having your teeth shift back into their pre-dental-work locations, your dentist can help devise a solution. Wearing a removable retainer is essential in mitigating this problem. Follow your orthodontist’s instructions if you want to keep your newly straightened teeth in alignment. The retainer may only be worn at night or at certain times during the day. A permanent retainer, also known as a fixed or lingual retainer, may be necessary for some people. Some people forget to wear their removable retainer, but that is not an issue with a permanent one. A mouth guard will suffice for those who grind their teeth. The guard is only worn at night.
5 Causes of Shifting Teeth
Dental procedures are just one of the causes of shifting teeth. This can be remedied with a retainer. But there are other causes, and, fortunately, retainers can correct these issues as well. Here are five causes of shifting teeth:
- Periodontal disease – When the bone and gum tissue that surrounds the teeth becomes inflamed and infected, this results in bone loss which reduces the support for your teeth, causing them to shift. This will frequently cause a gap to form between some of the teeth.
- Tooth loss – Whether the tooth was removed by a dental professional or was lost through a collision, the gap between the teeth on either side of the missing tooth may cause them to shift.
- Lower jaw growth – The lower jaw mandible never stops growing. For most of your life, this will be imperceptible, but if the lower front teeth continue to bump into the upper front teeth, and this does indeed happen, the teeth may shift. The lower front teeth can become crooked, and the upper front teeth will space out. This is another problem that can be mitigated by wearing a retainer.
- Lower jaw shrinkage – The lower jaw decreases in width over time, causing the teeth to shift. Like with the lower jaw growth, the lower front teeth get crowded and can become crooked.
- Aging – Your lips get tighter as you age, compressing the teeth and causing more crowding as with jaw growth and shrinkage.
Reach Out to Greenwood Dental Care Today
Shifting teeth sounds like something out of a horror film, but it is more common than people realize. There are many causes, from dental braces being removed to a growing or shrinking jaw to the results of aging. Whatever the cause, the solution is often the same. Wearing a removable or permanent retainer can prevent the teeth from shifting. In the cases of people who grind their teeth while they sleep, a mouth guard worn during the night will prevent any further damage to the teeth affected by the grinding. Some of the causes are preventable, while others are not. The jaw cannot be stopped from its growth spurts, nor can there be anything done about its shrinkage. But by wearing a retainer, these issues can be less intrusive and to a certain degree, managed without any noticeable problems. Check with your Waukegan dentist about the following dentistry options:
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Restorative dentistry
At Greenwood Dental Care, we can fit you with a retainer or mouth guard, and you can live your life without the intrusion of the pain and discomfort associated with shifting teeth. We can be reached online or at 855.528.3961 for you to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
