Have you noticed lately that your teeth seem to be moving out of their intended alignment? You might not be imagining things – teeth can and do shift over time, even if you’ve had orthodontic treatment in the past! While this movement is often slow and subtle, it can eventually affect your bite, the integrity of your teeth, your overall oral health, and of course, your self-esteem. Understanding what causes this movement and how orthodontic treatment can help is key to maintaining a healthy smile; here’s what you need to know.

Possible Causes of Tooth Movement

Although it can occur due to a wide variety of reasons, some common reasons for tooth movement include:

• Orthodontic relapse – After orthodontic treatment, you’ll be given a custom-made retainer to wear, which does exactly what its name implies. It “retains” your teeth in their new position; however, if you don’t wear it as instructed, your teeth might creep back into their incorrect positions.
• Tooth loss – When a tooth is lost, whether due to gum disease, physical trauma, or other circumstances, if it isn’t replaced, the neighboring teeth can begin moving toward the new gap, until they eventually loosen and fall out themselves.
• Bruxism – Commonly referred to as teeth grinding, this chronic condition can place excessive pressure on your teeth, potentially damaging their enamel layer. However, it can also cause them to move out of place.
• Aging – As we grow older, the structure of our mouth changes, and the teeth can gradually move closer together, causing crowding.
• Everyday habits – Certain lifestyle habits can also potentially move teeth; this includes nail biting, tongue-thrusting, or even chewing on objects or using your teeth as tools.  Anything that places unnatural strain on your teeth has the potential to move and/or harm them!

How Orthodontic Treatment Can Help

Orthodontic treatment is designed to gently guide your teeth into proper alignment and keep them there. Whether your teeth have shifted due to aging, tooth loss, or simply not wearing your retainer, your orthodontist can help.

Traditional metal braces correct all kinds of orthodontic problems, ranging from minor to complex bite and alignment issues. These braces also come in clear and ceramic varieties, in addition to being highly customizable. Many other patients prefer clear aligner options like Invisalign, which are more discreet and fully removable, yet just as capable of straightening teeth and correcting bites. Of course, if your teeth have shifted due to tooth loss, those missing pearly whites can also be replaced to prevent dental drift.

At the end of the day, even small changes in dental alignment can have big effects over time. If you’ve noticed your teeth are moving, or if you want to be sure you’re maintaining your previous orthodontic results, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist for an evaluation.  

About the Practice

Our team here at Simply Orthodontics Framingham has proudly served the orthodontic needs of families in Framingham and the surrounding area for several years. We offer a wide range of services for patients of all ages, including traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and beyond. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 403-8034.