The environment inside our mouths is constantly changing. The mouth is the main gateway into the body for food, water, and air. It is only sensible to believe that this environment will undergo many changes throughout your life. One of these significant changes is teeth shifting, or teeth changing positions. But why do teeth shift? Is it a disease, or is it a normal occurrence? What can you do to stop that shifting? We will answer all of that as your read on.
What Is Meant by Teeth Shifting?
Teeth shifting describes your teeth leaving their normal positions and starting to drift. Depending on many factors, this shift could be forwards, backward, upwards, or downwards.
Typically, our teeth are held firm in their position in the bone by a bunch of fibers known as the periodontal ligament (PDL). The PDL acts as a cushion, absorbing all the forces from chewing and biting and ensuring the teeth remain in their position without shifting or any other problems. When the forces become too large for the PDL to withstand, that’s when the shifting could start.
Why Do Teeth Shift?
The mechanism behind teeth shifting is an interesting one. The forces inside our mouths, from eating, chewing, and even speech, always tend to make the teeth move around and shift. However, the bone and PDL are strong enough to counteract these forces. Not only that but all the teeth are joined together in spots known as contact areas. In addition, they are always opposed by the teeth opposite them in the other jaw. This whole assembly makes the teeth stand firm in their place. When you understand the problems that could happen to any of these structures, you’ll begin to understand why do teeth shift.
Is It Normal for Teeth to Shift?
There are two types of shifting, pathological and normal aging shifting.
Pathological Shifting:
This happens when the shifting results from a problem or disease inside the mouth. Examples of these problems include:
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- Teeth loss:
As we explained, the teeth help each other stand firm in their place. So if one tooth is lost, the teeth next to it start to drift into that space, and the tooth opposing it also starts to elongate since there is nothing to stop it. This is why you should seek to replace any missing tooth as soon as possible. - Decay:
Small decays don’t really affect teeth’ positions, but when the decay becomes large enough to destroy the contact areas, the support from the remaining teeth is lost, and the teeth would start to move around. - Periodontal disease:
As we explained, the PDL is the main structure that keeps the teeth attached to the bone. If the PDL is diseased, the teeth will lose their support. Periodontal disease often starts simple with some gum inflammation but can progress rapidly into a cascade of events that could eventually lead to tooth loss. - Not wearing your retainer after braces:
This is not a disease, strictly speaking. However, the mechanism is the same and should be considered as such. Your retainer is a crucial piece of your treatment with braces. After you’re finished with braces, your bones and PDL are still unstable from all the changes. The retainer would help stabilize them until they are accustomed to the new teeth’ positions. If you do not wear your retainer, you give them the chance to revert to their original state, and you would find yourself exactly where you started with crooked, crowded, or spaced teeth.
- Teeth loss:
Normal Aging Shifting:
Two phases in life must be recognized as normal phases for teeth shifting:
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- Late teen shifting:
This is also known as late teen crowding. Often at 16 or 17, some patients may complain that their teeth shifted, especially the front teeth. They would complain that the teeth were positioned normally but then started to get out of place with no apparent reason. It is thought that the emergence of the wisdom tooth is one of the reasons behind such shifting, but why do teeth shift at this age exactly is not yet fully understood. - Old age shifting:
With age, a number of changes can happen in the mouth. The teeth start to wear away from years of service, and the bones become more fragile and brittle. Add that to all the dental work that was probably done during your lifetime, and you’ll understand why teeth shift in old age.
- Late teen shifting:
Do Teeth Eventually Stop Shifting?
The aging shifting usually does not stop. However, it is usually very slowly progressing and can be controlled with the help of your dentist. The pathological shifting would stop as soon as the reason behind the shifting is removed.
How Do You Stop Teeth Shifting?
It all comes down to the removal of the cause of the problem. If you have a missing tooth, seek to replace it as soon as possible with implants, bridges, or dentures. If you have severely decayed teeth, you should strive to fix these as quickly as possible. Periodontal disease is easier to prevent than cure. If you frequent your dentist or hygienist and take good care of your oral hygiene, you can do that.
Finally – and we cannot stress this enough – keep wearing your retainer at the times assigned by your orthodontist until he deems it OK for you to remove it. Think of it as part of your treatment. You endured braces for a year or more in the hopes of changing your appearance, so what’re a few more months?
If you need more help in understanding why do teeth shift, Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Andrew Lasley and the team at Lasley orthodontics. Our team is always here for you to answer any questions regarding braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, or to know if you even need braces. You can find us at 16655 108th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98055, or give us a call to schedule your complimentary consultation at (425) 496-7030.