Teeth shifting is a common problem that affects many people. The teeth are supposed to meet together in a tight fit, and there should be little to no space between them. If they have gaps or spaces, it results in teeth shifting. There are many reasons why this happens, and it affects both children and adults. It can occur at any age but usually starts in childhood. Here are the top five reasons for teeth shifting.
1. Age
Your teeth, mouth structure, and jaws will change as you age. This could be due to natural wear or thinning of your teeth’ enamel. The changes in your mouth will cause the teeth to shift.
The more the mouth’s structure becomes worn out, the less your teeth will withstand the forces of chewing or biting. This will consequently result in teeth shifting.
2. Displaced Teeth
You may also have shifted teeth due to displaced teeth. It is known as dentoalveolar shifting and occurs when the upper and lower jawbones move relative to each other during chewing or biting. The displacement can be due to bone loss, infection in the jaw joint, inflammation, or trauma. When a tooth falls out due to any of these reasons, it could end up shifting. This causes a gap between the two teeth and results in teeth shifting.
3. Trauma
Teeth can shift when traumatized due to injuries like dental procedures or fractures. When the teeth are fractured, they will move and shift. The trauma can also be caused by car accidents or tooth extraction.
Trauma can also lead to teeth loss. If you have had a tooth extracted, it is important to replace the missing one as soon as possible. This is to prevent your gums from shifting towards the gap between your teeth instead of back into a place where they belong. You may contact pain-free dentist in North Dallas to learn more about tooth replacement procedures.
4. Tooth Decay
Teeth can shift when they are affected by tooth decay caused by bacteria in the mouth that break down the enamel of your teeth. The bacteria that cause tooth decay are the same ones that cause gum diseases, and they can get into your mouth via the gums or through a hole in the tooth. If you experience tooth decay, you should visit a pain-free dentist in North Dallas to remove and replace the decay with a filling.
Teeth can also shift if they are affected by a periodontal disease caused by inflammation of the gums. Periodontal disease will cause your teeth to move closer together as well as break down the gum tissue that holds your teeth in place.
5. Grinding
Teeth grinding is something that many people do unknowingly and often at night when they are asleep. Grinding your teeth can cause wear on the surface of your teeth which in turn causes the enamel to become worn away and eventually shift. If you experience teeth grinding, contact your cosmetic dentist in North Dallas to recommend the best mouthguard.
Contact Professional Dentists
If you have had a tooth that has shifted, you should visit a cosmetic dentist in North Dallas as soon as possible to have it fixed. In some cases, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced with a new one, but it can just get fixed in most cases.
