Your body will likely experience changes that affect your appearance as you age. For instance, your hair color, weight, body shape, teeth color, and many other aspects of your body can change over time, sometimes without your intervention. But do teeth shift with age?
Getting treatment from an orthodontist in Metairie, Louisiana, can ensure your teeth stay in proper alignment. As one of the top dental practices in the area, our team at Maldonado Orthodontics explains what could cause your teeth to move out of position over time.
Why Teeth Sometimes Shift Over Time
Your teeth are always moving slightly, even though you can’t see the movements happening in real-time. The change is usually noticeable over several months or years.
Consider, for instance, wearing braces to shift your crooked teeth into a straighter alignment. After several months of wearing the orthodontic device, you’ll notice a shift in the positioning of your teeth.
So, do teeth shift with age naturally? Your teeth could move over time for several reasons, including those below.
Tooth Grinding and Jaw Clenching
If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night as you sleep, you unintentionally put excess pressure on your molars. That’s why many people who clench or grind their teeth while sleeping often wake up with pain or pressure in their lower jaws and around their temples.
Over time, the extra pressure on your back teeth will cause them to move out of place. Your teeth could also wear down prematurely or break.
This problem doesn’t only affect the molars. Depending on how your molars shift due to tooth grinding and jaw clenching, your back teeth could push neighboring teeth out of alignment. This can affect your bite, how you eat, and your smile’s appearance.
Gum Disease
Gingivitis or gum disease causes inflammation of the soft tissues around teeth due to a bacterial infection, hormonal changes, or certain medications. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of gingivitis. The condition usually results in a buildup of bacteria-filled plaque around the gum line, leading to gum tissue inflammation.
If you have severe or untreated gum disease, the infection could cause your teeth to shift. The gums could separate from your teeth and recede. If that happens, your teeth won’t have as much soft tissue support, leaving them vulnerable to shifting out of place or complete tooth loss.
Gum disease can also reduce your jawbone density. The loss of bone density can weaken the support for your teeth. Taking time to brush your teeth daily and develop good oral hygiene habits will improve your oral health and minimize the risk of developing gingivitis.
Tooth Extraction
If a dentist has to extract one or more of your teeth due to decay, a dental injury, or tooth crowding, you might think replacing it with a dental implant, bridge, or dentures is unnecessary. Even if you don’t mind your appearance immediately following an extraction, you could experience problems with your teeth shifting out of place.
When you lose a tooth, the teeth on either side of the gap will eventually lean toward the space. This movement can start a ripple effect where other teeth will begin to move to accommodate open spaces. Filling a gap with a dental implant or closing it by wearing braces can prevent this problem.
Wisdom teeth removal doesn’t usually cause other teeth to shift. The problem usually occurs after extracting an incisor or canine near the front of the mouth.
Address Your Shifting Teeth Today at Maldonado Orthodontics
Do teeth shift with age? They can under certain circumstances, but don’t worry. Whether you need braces for a gap or clear aligners to reposition crowded teeth, you can start your smile transformation journey at Maldonado Orthodontics.Our top-rated dental office in Metairie, Louisiana, specializes in orthodontics. With over 36 years of industry experience and more than 6,000 happy patients, we continue providing early, adolescent, and adult orthodontic treatments in a relaxed, compassionate environment. Call Maldonado Orthodontics at (504) 455-5581 today for a consultation.
