Teeth Shifting: Causes And Prevention

Your teeth are attached to your jawbones and secured by ligaments, which help keep them in place when you chew. Your teeth can shift, however, as a result of a number of different factors, even if your teeth and gums are healthy. Here are some causes for teeth shifting and some measures you can take to help prevent it.

Teeth Shifting Causes

One of the most common causes of shifting is the aging process. As people age, their bones may become less dense and more brittle. Also, the aging population may be more likely to develop degenerative bone disorders such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, which can affect the jawbones and tooth position.

The pressure from tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, can also cause your teeth to shift out of place, as can periodontal disease, dental decay, and spaces caused by lost teeth. If your teeth start shifting out of place, see your dentist as soon as possible because a delay in treatment may result in an abnormal bite, jaw pain, gingivitis, and cavities. Orthodontic treatments such as braces can cause your teeth to shift, but this type of shifting is therapeutic and beneficial to your oral health. 

Preventing Teeth Shifting

While age-related teeth shifting may be unavoidable in certain cases, there are things you can do to lower your risk, or even prevent other causes of dental shifting. The most important thing you can do to prevent your teeth from shifting out of place is brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and seeing your dentist on a regular basis for checkups and professional cleanings.

Consuming a healthy diet that is low in sugar and rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean sources of protein will also help keep your jawbones, teeth, and gums healthy. Eating well will also help lower your risk for nutritional deficiencies, which may also play a role in poor oral health and subsequent tooth shifting.

Not smoking is another preventative measure to consider that will help decrease your risk for dental shifting. Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that can damage your blood vessels and raise your risk for gum disease, periodontal bone loss, and subsequent teeth shifting. 

See your dentist if the spaces between your teeth become larger or if your teeth appear crowded or overlap one another. These are signs of dental shifting, which can be treated with orthodontic procedures, dental implants, tooth restorations, and treatments to manage gum disease and dental decay.

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