{"id":462,"date":"2022-09-02T21:29:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-02T21:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ddsdc.com\/blog\/?p=462"},"modified":"2022-10-18T21:33:03","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T21:33:03","slug":"reasons-for-shifting-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ddsdc.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/02\/reasons-for-shifting-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Possible Reasons for Shifting Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you\u2014so if you\u2019re looking in the bathroom mirror and realizing that your teeth have shifted and look a little crooked, the odds are that you aren\u2019t the only one who\u2019s noticed! That said, you\u2019re also probably wondering what caused this movement and if there\u2019s anything you can do to correct it. Here\u2019s more from your dentist in Friendship Heights<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Five Reasons for Shifting Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your teeth can move and shift around for a variety of reasons, but five of the most common explanations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Natural aging<\/strong> \u2013 As your body ages, it undergoes several natural changes, many of them occurring inside of your mouth. Over time the ligaments, tissues, and fibers composing the jaw muscles grow weak, causing your teeth to loosen. Your lips also contract as you age, which creates pressure on the exterior of your bite and gradually pushes your teeth inward. Even the mineral content in bones throughout the body decreases over time, reducing jawbone density and causing teeth to move.<\/li>
  2. Bruxism (tooth grinding)<\/strong> \u2013 This condition is characterized by the grinding and clenching of teeth, usually without the patient\u2019s realization (it often happens during sleep). This grinding can lead to bite misalignment, enamel reduction, and even changes to the shape of your teeth\u2014and if left untreated, it can progress into a debilitating TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder!<\/li>
  3. Tongue thrust<\/strong> \u2013 Your tongue can also be responsible for shifting teeth. Tongue thrust, also called reverse swallow, happens when you involuntarily push your tongue forward against your teeth. It can happen while speaking, swallowing, or even while you\u2019re asleep. This force of pressure can gradually create a gap between the upper and lower teeth.<\/li>
  4. Untreated gum disease<\/strong> \u2013 Periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease, can completely obliterate gum tissue and bone matter alike, which will certainly lead to tooth movement that results in total tooth loss.<\/li>
  5. Dental trauma<\/strong> \u2013 Sustaining a blow to the mouth can lead to several different problems. Sometimes these injuries can partially extrude a tooth, which means the tooth is still attached but has been shifted out of place. Other times, the tooth can become entirely displaced.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How Your Dentist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Since tooth movement is difficult to detect with the naked eye, it\u2019s going to take the help of your dentist to determine how much your teeth have shifted and what needs to be done to correct the issue, as it\u2019s not something that will clear up on its own. If you suspect your teeth have shifted, regardless of how you think it was caused, you should consult with your dentist as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n