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Posted on 7/20/2018 by Barbara Ketchum |
 It happened gradually, but one day you looked in the mirror and noticed your teeth didn't seem to be in the same positions. In fact, now they seem quite crooked. What caused that? There are actually many reasons that your teeth may begin to shift around in your mouth, and fortunately, there are ways to treat it. Clenching and GrindingBruxism is a major cause for shifting teeth. If you clench your teeth during times of stress, the force could wear down the enamel and cause the teeth to shift. Grinding forces the jaw forward and puts tension onto the upper teeth. With continual thrusting, the upper arch will push teeth out of alignment.Tooth LossIf you are missing a tooth on the bottom of your mouth, the tooth above it may start to grow downward. Likewise, the teeth next to the gap may start to move into the empty space.Age As part of the natural aging process, the space between the teeth will begin to wear away. The enamel thins, and with this wear and tear, the teeth find it more difficult to withstand biting forces. This can cause them to shift into different positions, and you may notice that your smile appears different. CavitiesWhen you fill in your cavities, the composite can cause changes to the teeth. Occasionally, the bite will also be affected, which can alter the placement of the teeth. However, you need to treat decay, as failure to do so can cause the problem to spread to the bone and gums, eating away at the structures that hold teeth firmly in place.If you notice that your teeth have shifted, give our office a call. We have treatment options that can realign your teeth and prevent further shifting. We'll get your straight smile back in no time at all. |
