DID YOU KNOW THAT TEETH CAN SHIFT OVER TIME?
As we age our bodies will go through changes. From infancy to adolescence, our bodies seem to be in a constant state of change. Once into adulthood, changes that occur over the next several decades are more gradual and subtle, and those changes are not always noticeable to us - that is, until an issue that draws our attention to it.
Let’s use knee pain as an example. We tell our doctor that “It just started hurting recently but I don’t remember injuring it,” only to find out that the knee pain is due to cumulative changes that have occurred over time.
The same thing happens in your mouth. Subtle changes will occur throughout the duration of your lifetime, but we do not notice those subtle changes until an issue arises that draws our attention to it. You might feel that your occlusion (your bite) is not feeling quite right, perhaps you are chipping teeth or notice spaces between teeth that were not present before.
WHAT CAUSES TEETH TO SHIFT?
GOT RETAINERS…BUT DON’T WEAR THEM? After orthodontic treatment, retainers must be worn regularly for life. If not worn regularly, your teeth will begin to shift.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE: Teeth can shift when they lose support due to bone and tissue loss from periodontal disease.
MISSING TEETH: Missing teeth creates space that allows remaining teeth to shift and fill in that space.
LOSS OF TOOTH STRUCTURE FROM CLENCHING, GRINDING AND ENAMEL EROSION: When teeth are worn down due to grinding or enamel erosion, it creates space between your upper and lower teeth that was once not there. Over time, teeth begin to shift into the newly created space.
AGE: Just as supportive structures in your body such as ligaments, muscles and bones can weaken as we age, this is also true for your mouth.
HOW DO I PREVENT MY TEETH FROM SHIFTING?
GOOD ORAL HYGIENE: Brush twice a day, floss at least once a day and be sure to visit us regularly to prevent periodontal issues. Be sure to tell us if you’re on new medications or have medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart problems.
WEAR A NIGHT GUARD IF YOU GRIND YOUR TEETH: Wear a night guard to prevent wear and tear on your teeth.
REPLACE MISSING TEETH: There are several options designed to replace missing teeth, such as a partial denture, a bridge, or an implant. We can discuss the most appropriate options for you.
CAN TEETH THAT HAVE ALREADY MOVED BE CORRECTED?
In most cases, orthodontic treatment is typically used to correct teeth that are out of position. Before that can be recommended, a complete dental exam and evaluation will be performed first, as certain dental issues will need to be treated prior to orthodontic treatment.
Questions? Feel free to reach out to us by phone at (781) 942-2020, by e-mail at info@drkhull.com, or by navigating to the Contact page of our website.
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