Causes of Shifting Teeth as an Adult

Have your teeth shifted as you age? Whether you had braces as a child or were lucky enough to avoid orthodontic correction at all, it is still common to experience changes in the alignment of your teeth as an adult. In fact, teeth shifting occurs so gradually that you may not even realize it is happening initially. Eventually, however, you may notice a small gap in your smile or crooked tooth that wasn’t there a few years ago.

While teeth shifting is most noted in children and teens, it can absolutely happen later in life. There are several different causes of tooth movement, including the following:

Gum Disease
When it goes untreated, gum disease can cause damage to the tissue, bone and other structures that hold your teeth in position.

Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, along with teeth clenching, is a common oral habit that can gradually move your teeth over time. This is more common in patients who grind their teeth during nighttime sleep.

Tooth Loss
Regardless of whether it is was severe decay or a traumatic injury, tooth loss inevitably results in the movement of adjacent teeth when the gap is not replaced with a prosthetic tooth.

Changes In Your Jaw Bone and Bite
As you age, your face will change. For some, this can involve a lower jaw that becomes narrower and moves forward. Even slight movements of your jaw can lead to bite changes, overlapping teeth and shifting teeth.

Preventing and Treating Teeth Shifting
At Green Dental of Alexandria, we can help you prevent tooth movement as you age. Depending on the cause of your shifting teeth we may recommend treatments such as better oral hygiene to manage gum disease or a custom nightguard to protect your teeth from bruxism. If notable teeth movement has already occurred, we may recommend short-term orthodontic therapy.

We want to know about your shifting teeth as soon as you recognize changes in the appearance of your smile or the way your teeth fit together when you bite down. Contact our Alexandria dental practice today to learn more.