You paid for years of (sometimes uncomfortable) braces or Invisalign, and one morning you wake up to see a change in your teeth. Or you have always had perfectly even teeth but notice that something looks different. Teeth shifting is a thing, and there are many reasons why it happens. Here are six reasons for teeth shifting.

My teeth are shifting: What do I do?

Teeth shifting (also known as mesial drift) is a common phenomenon that occurs in even the healthiest of teeth. The most common shift is towards the front and center of the mouth.

This may be a carryover from pre-historic times. When humans in that era lost teeth due to decay, wear, or accident, their teeth naturally shifted to fill in the gaps. This shifting served our pre-historic ancestors well. With a life expectancy of only 40 years, teeth shifting did not cause any other real issues but allowed humans to continue to use their teeth for a lifetime. Of course, it’s no longer the pre-historic times and this teeth shifting can be an issue.

Today, teeth shifting in adults can cause other concerns and should be addressed as soon as it becomes apparent. Teeth shifting pain can occur as teeth overlap. Overcrowded teeth are difficult to keep clean with brushing and flossing. If teeth shift into the space where a tooth is lost, it may not be possible to replace the lost tooth with an implant. This can mean loss of gum tissue and bone in the jaw, which can lead to periodontal disease in the future.

In short, teeth shifting should not be left untreated.

Do our teeth shift with age?

Add it to the list of the potential indignities that come with age, but teeth shifting is very common as we get older. Our bones are not as strong and begin to allow movement. Age is not the only cause of teeth shifting. Here are the other six most common causes of teeth shifting.

1. After extraction

Blame it on our caveman days, but once a tooth is removed, the others will rush in to fill the gap. You’ll want to work with a highly-skilled dentist to reduce the chances of this occurring.

2. After braces

It happens all the time. The braces come off and the patient wears their retainer consistently for a month or so. Then they start to forget to pop it in at night every now and then. Maybe it falls behind the nightstand, and they forget about it all together.

This is prime time for teeth shifting. Your perfectly aligned teeth may start to move back to their former positions, opening gaps and causing dental chaos in just a short period of time.

3. Gum disease

Soft gums can also allow movement in the mouth. While this type of teeth shifting may not be painful, it can progress rapidly, causing even more issues as teeth migrate.

4. Pregnancy

In addition to a painful back, swollen ankles, and “morning” sickness that lasts all day, some pregnant women find their teeth becoming loose in their gums.

In some cases, teeth move dramatically in their mouth over the course of their pregnancy.

5. Bruxism

Tooth grinding and jaw clenching (a.k.a bruxism) puts a tremendous amount of force on the teeth.

In addition to causing cracking, temporomandibular joint disorder, and a host of other complications, bruxism can also cause teeth to move.

6. Shifting due to non-dental behaviors

Adding insult to injury, did you know that you can move your own teeth while you sleep? Or when you simply relax? Turns out, sleeping on your face applies gentle pressure to your teeth all night long.

Over time, this pressure can cause teeth shifting. And resting your chin in your hand while you’re watching TV or just hanging out? This, too, places steady, gentle pressure on the lower jaw, eventually forcing teeth up and in.

All of these teeth shifting causes most noticeably affect the lower teeth in the middle of the jaw. Depending on a combination of factors, you may notice teeth shifting anywhere in the mouth.

Are my teeth shifting?

One of the best ways to see if your teeth are shifting is to check out your dental midline. The dental midline is a line that bisects the front of your mouth and indicates the middle of the upper teeth and the middle of the lower teeth (and the middle of your whole face, even). Generally, the top teeth sit directly over the bottom teeth. If you notice a dental midline shift, that is a clear indication of teeth shifting.

Other symptoms of teeth shifting include the following.

  • Changes in bite: If you notice your teeth hitting each other more often as you bite down, this could be a symptom of teeth shifting.
  • Pain, puffy gums, or bleeding: These are more symptoms of advanced gum disease that can lead to teeth shifting.
  • Visual changes: Even if the midline looks the same, you may notice that your incisors aren’t quite lining up with their partners on the bottom. Or maybe your molars are hitting your bicuspids (when they shouldn’t). Both of these visual changes are symptoms of teeth shift.

Your risk factors for teeth shifting are clearly indicated by the causes above. Older adults who grind their teeth, people who have had braces, and patients with missing or extracted teeth are all at increased risk for teeth shifting. Poor dental hygiene is also a risk factor.

How can I stop teeth shifting?

To stop shifting teeth, it’s important to identify the cause. If you have recently stopped wearing braces (and your retainer), pop it back in and see what happens. You may feel some pain for a time, but this might correct teeth shifting that is just beginning.

If your teeth are shifting for any other reason, it’s important to visit your dentist. Identifying the underlying cause is important, followed by prevention strategies and cosmetic treatments if needed.

AZ Dentist is your Phoenix area dentist. If your teeth are shifting, give us a call to discuss your treatment options.

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