A natural aspect of aging is the shifting of your teeth. Minor movement typically requires no dental treatment. However, some shifting can cause problems, such as more complex dental procedures. Continue reading to learn more about teeth shifting with age.
At Trident General Dentistry, our goal is for you to have healthy teeth and gums and a beautiful smile as you grow older.
Contact us for more information on our services to keep your teeth straight and healthy.
Why Teeth Shift With Age
The bones in your face not only change when you’re a child and adolescent but continue as you age. Changes in your lower jaw can significantly affect the alignment of your teeth. Your lower jaw grows narrower and more forward with age. The narrowing of your jaw can cause crowding and overlap of your lower teeth. The changes in your jaw can also lead to a change in your bite. This change in how your teeth fit together changes the pressure on your teeth. As a result of this changed pressure, gaps may form between your upper teeth.
Other Common Causes Of Teeth Shifting
There are many other potential causes of teeth shifting, including:
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Gum disease. Flossing your teeth and having regular professional teeth cleanings keep your gums healthy. Gum disease can lead to loss of the bone supporting your teeth. When this occurs, your teeth can shift.
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Grinding your teeth. Grinding your teeth while sleeping without wearing a nightguard can result in worn tooth structure. This and the added pressure of grinding can cause your teeth to move.
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Changes in the anatomy of your lips. As you age, your lips get smaller and thinner. Although you may hardly notice these changes, they result in more pressure applied to your teeth that can cause shifting.
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Tooth loss. A missing tooth can lead to the adjacent and opposing teeth shifting. This can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth grinding.
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Enamel loss. Acids we consume in our diet lead to loss of enamel. Eventually, this results in changes to the shape of your teeth that can cause teeth shifting.
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Not wearing an orthodontic retainer. Not wearing a retainer as recommended by your dentist can lead to teeth returning to their original position.
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Hormonal changes. Changes during menopause can cause teeth to move.
Tips To Prevent Teeth From Shifting
There’s little you can do to affect the minor shifting of your teeth that occurs from changes in the anatomy of your jaw and lips as you age. However, you can take several steps to minimize the movement of your teeth as you age, such as:
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Maintaining excellent oral hygiene by brushing twice daily for two minutes and flossing at least once each day.
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Having regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning.
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Wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth at night.
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Replacing missing teeth with implants, bridges, or partial dentures.
Problems Created By Teeth Shifting
Sometimes misaligned teeth can lead to a wide range of complications, such as:
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Difficulty chewing your food sufficiently.
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Challenges with speaking.
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Trauma to your lips, gums, or cheeks when you close your teeth together.
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Loose teeth.
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Risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
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Jaw pain.
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Vulnerability to damaging teeth during an accident.
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Loss of confidence due to changes in esthetics.
Schedule an Appointment
Contact us for a comprehensive oral examination to learn more about maintaining the alignment of your teeth and having the smile you want.