Treatments like braces and Invisalign are almost like a rite of passage for many children and teenagers. Have you ever thought about why? Orthodontics are very effective while the body is still growing and developing, making the teenage years the perfect time to correct crooked teeth. However, millions of adults get braces and Invisalign each year as well, and many of them completed orthodontic treatment earlier in life. This is because teeth shift over time. Read on as we go over the seven most common causes of shifted teeth and what can be done about them.
1.) Getting Older
Your body doesn’t stop changing once you’re not a teenager anymore. The tissues, ligaments, and muscles in and around your mouth gradually but continuously change over time. This changes where pressure is placed on your teeth, which can cause them to naturally shift over time.
2.) Changes in the Jawbone
Throughout your life, your jawbone will change in position and density. Both of these factors play an important role in the stability and position of your teeth. As the jaw shifts forward and becomes less dense as you age, it’s likely that your teeth will ever so slightly shift out of place.
3.) Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Grinding your teeth in your sleep is a condition called bruxism. This excess nightly wear and tear on the teeth can lead to a host of problems, including weakened, sensitive teeth that are vulnerable to decay. The extra pressure is also translated down into the roots of the teeth, which can cause them to shift.
4.) Dental Trauma or Injury
Sustaining a blow to the face can partially extrude a tooth, wherein the tooth is still attached but has been shoved out of place. Many times, it will naturally correct itself over time or can be treated with guidance from a dentist. However, an injury like this can sometimes also cause other teeth to become misaligned as well.
5.) Tooth Loss
Your teeth support each other, so when one goes missing, it’s very normal for the neighboring teeth to shift out of place. They will likely begin to move or tilt in towards the new gap in your smile, which lessens the pressure on the other surrounding teeth. Eventually, untreated tooth loss can cause a cascade of shifting teeth that ends in a crooked smile.
6.) Gum Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US. This common bacterial infection attacks the jawbone and supportive tissues that help hold the teeth in place. As these structures weaken, the teeth may begin to move out of place and eventually, they may fall out entirely.
7.) Tongue Thrust
Sometimes called “reverse swallow,” tongue thrust refers to the placement of the tongue when swallowing. This condition causes you to involuntarily push your tongue forward against the back of your teeth when swallowing, speaking, or even resting. Over time, the force can create a gap between the forward upper and lower teeth, as well as a host of other problems.
There are plenty of reasons why you may find yourself with crooked or shifted teeth later in life, even if you underwent orthodontics as a child or teenager. Thankfully, with the help of your Milton orthodontist, there are plenty of easy and convenient treatments that can help get your smile back on track!
About the Practice
At Milton Orthodontics, Dr. Sherman believes that it should be easy for anyone to get the happy, healthy, and straight smile they deserve. That’s why he’s outfitted his office with all the latest technology and offers an array of personalized treatments for smiles of all ages. Whether you’ve never had orthodontic treatment before or your teeth have shifted out of place since your teenage years, Dr. Sherman can create a treatment plan that can help. To learn more, he can be contacted via his website or at (617) 698-8883.