Having overcrowded, crooked, or gapped teeth can impact your appearance as well as your oral health. When you can’t reach all their surfaces to thoroughly brush and floss them, you’re more likely to develop cavities or gum disease. To make matters worse, it’s possible for your grin to become misaligned over time even if you’ve always had a perfectly straight smile.
Continue reading to learn about 4 reasons that your teeth continue to shift later in life, and how your provider can address it!
Crooked Cause #1: Aging
We tend to think of our teeth as permanent, immovable structures in our mouths, but the truth is that that they’re connected with muscles and ligaments with a natural capacity for movement. These tissues age along with the rest of your body and over time, can thin out and grow weaker. This can lead to loosened teeth that are prone to shifting out of alignment.
Crooked Cause #2: Changes to Jawbone Density
Another shift that typically occurs as we grow older is that our bones lose some of their natural mineral content and grow frailer. Unfortunately, your jawbone is no exception. As it loses mass, your pearly whites don’t have as firm a foundation to keep them in place. This can damage the connections between your teeth and gums which can cause them to move.
Crooked Cause #3: Bruxism
If you’ve ever woken with a stiff or sore jaw, you might be subconsciously grinding your teeth at night. As estimated 20 to 40 million Americans suffer from this unhealthy habit, also referred to as bruxism. The constant pressure of clenching your teeth together can push them out of place in addition and wear down your enamel, leaving you vulnerable to cavities, gum disease, and injury.
Crooked Cause #4: Tooth Loss
Did you know that about 69% of adults in the U.S. have lost at least one tooth by the time they’re 44 years old? This can happen for several reasons though the leading cause is progressive gum disease. If plaque and bacteria penetrate your gums, they can become infected and recede away from your enamel. Without a firm connection, they can become loose or dislodged. Then, your remaining teeth are likely to shift out of alignment to fill in the gaps left behind.
If you’ve noticed that your smile has begun to look off-kilter, the best next step is to consult with your dentist. They can provide orthodontic solutions, like traditional braces or Invisalign, to address the problem and give you back a much more youthful-looking grin!
About the Practice
At Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Muskegon, you and your family benefit from a team of dentists with 30+ years of combined experience. They understand that everyone’s needs are different and take the time to learn your unique concerns and goals. Then, they provide fully customized treatment plans to meet them. By utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, they provide a full range of top-quality services that yield accurate, long-lasting results. If you’re interested in straightening your smile, you can request a consultation on the website or call (231) 563-6878.