If you ask any orthodontist about teeth, they’ll tell you that at the end of the day, your pearly whites are quite stubborn—and getting them to move into healthier positions isn’t always straightforward. Funnily enough, when it comes to unintended movement, teeth seem more than happy to shift and move all around the inside of the mouth! Here’s a closer look at a few of the reasons why teeth can sometimes shift around, along with how orthodontic treatment can help keep your teeth where they need to be.
What Causes Teeth to Move Around?
Teeth are by no means fixed in position. This is evident by the baby teeth, which emerge and fall out all within the first decade or so of our lives—however, once these teeth are lost and replaced by permanent ones, the movement doesn’t necessarily stop there. Depending on the causes, this shifting can be accidental, intentional, or even unavoidable. Illness, injury, old age, and, of course, orthodontic treatment, can all trigger tooth movement.
For instance, changes in your jaw and facial structure are part of the aging process, and these gradual changes can cause tooth movement, even forming new gaps or causing overcrowding. Your jaw muscles and ligaments also age with the rest of your body, and the tissues that stabilize your teeth might grow loose over time, shifting your bite. Of course, the jawbone also loses bone density as you age, which can also weaken these connections and cause your teeth to move or fall out entirely—the worst form of tooth movement.
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a very common cause of tooth movement (and enamel wear). Other aging facial features can affect the teeth, like the lips contracting and creating pressure on the bite, or the tongue pushing forward (tongue thrust). And it goes without saying that accidents and injuries can also cause dental damage or movement!
Can Orthodontic Treatment Help?
Orthodontics is the go-to method for addressing tooth movement, and solutions like metal braces and clear aligners have helped out countless patients. These methods apply gradual pressure to the teeth, encouraging micromovements over the course of several months/years. Through this process, teeth can be straightened, gaps can be closed, bites can be adjusted, and all other sorts of issues stemming from tooth movement can be corrected. Better yet, orthodontics can be revisited in the future if the need arises.
However, teeth have a type of memory that can sometimes cause them to shift back into their old (and incorrect) position. This is why it’s common practice for patients to be given a retainer following their orthodontic treatment; these devices “retain” the teeth in their new positions and discourage future movement.
If you’ve recently begun to notice that your teeth have moved, whether you’ve worn braces in the past or not, it’s worth speaking with your dentist about the probable cause and possible solutions.
About the Practice
Under the leadership of our own Dr. Jamie Moon, the team here at Super Braces of Worcester has served the orthodontic needs of families in the area for several years, offering a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, including traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and more. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 690-5561.