Very few people have a perfectly straight smile, but you may have noticed that your teeth have begun to shift position and perhaps wondered why. Over time, it’s not unusual to notice that some teeth do move. Initially, you might only think this affects the appearance of your teeth, but when teeth move, it can be a sign of a larger issue, and it’s always worth discussing this with your dentist in Newcastle. If needed, your dentist can recommend treatment to help stabilize any missing teeth and straighten up your smile. Read on to discover why your teeth might be moving and potential solutions.
As a Natural Part of Aging
As you get older, the ligaments in your body, including those in your jawbone, begin to weaken. This can cause your teeth to start shifting out of place. It can also happen if you had orthodontic treatment some time ago but have failed to wear your retainers after you finish wearing braces in Clarington. It’s a problem called an orthodontic relapse, where teeth start to shift back to their original places.
If you have noticed your teeth have shifted out of place, one option is to straighten them with an adult-oriented orthodontics system like Invisalign in Courtice. Invisalign is easy-to-use and provides predictable results, sometimes within a very short while when only cosmetic corrections are needed.
Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Bruxism is a very common problem where people clench and grind their teeth. It frequently occurs during sleep, so sufferers begin waking up with a sore and aching jaw and may start to notice their teeth look shorter and more chipped. Clenching and grinding your teeth place them under significant force and eventually can loosen them, allowing them to shift position and affecting your bite.
If you are concerned you may have bruxism, make an appointment to see us at West Bowmanville Family Dental as soon as possible. Our dentist can examine your teeth and jaws, and if you have bruxism, they can supply a custom-made night splint that prevents your upper and lower teeth from grinding against each other while you sleep more comfortably. It is important to get treatment for this condition because it can significantly damage your teeth or even lead to tooth loss.
Missing Teeth
You need a full complement of teeth to protect each tooth against unwanted tooth movements. A gap in your smile affects far more than just your appearance, leaving behind a space so the adjacent teeth will start to drift out of place. The teeth opposing the gap will also start to move towards the empty space. Additionally, when you lose teeth, it affects your jawbone, and it soon starts to resorb. Loss of jawbone can also destabilize teeth allowing them to begin moving out of place.
Failing or missing teeth should be replaced as soon as possible. We have several options available, including partial and full dentures, dental bridges supported by your natural teeth, and the latest dental implants.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a bacterial infection and is often due to lax oral care that allows these bacteria to build up, infecting and inflaming your gums. As the disease worsens, it also affects the jawbone, destroying the bone and ligaments holding your teeth in place so that they begin to loosen and shift position.
Whenever you see us for regular dental checkups, we assess your gum health carefully, as gum disease is entirely reversible when caught quickly. If you have more advanced gum disease, called periodontal disease, we can provide suitable treatments to help control this condition and hopefully prevent tooth loss.
