Have you usually had straight teeth but now notice a shift in your smile? Or maybe you typically struggled with bite misalignment issues, but the problem is getting worse? While tooth shifting is a common dental concern, it may be an indication of a developing issue. To address it, you may have to consult your dentist in Las Cruces about orthodontic treatments, like Invisalign. Read on to learn about the common causes of shifting teeth and which procedures can help you!
4 Common Reasons for Shifting Teeth
While most people wish their pearly whites can remain straight and in place throughout their life, several factors can often prevent this from occurring. Here are four of the most common culprits of dental shifting:
- Tongue thrust: Notice how your tongue moves forward and pushes against your teeth whenever you swallow something? While this might seem harmless at first, the pressure can gradually cause your front teeth to shift, negatively affecting your smile.
- Natural aging: Your jawbone will progressively move forward as you age. This can develop misalignment as your upper teeth are pushed out of place. They may even become loose and shift your bite over time.
- Tooth loss: This is a widespread dental concern among more than 170 million Americans. Without replacing a gap in your smile with a restoration (like a dental bridge or implant), your remaining teeth can gradually move out of place to fill the space.
- Gum disease: This infection can wreak havoc on your oral health as it can weaken both the connective tissue and your teeth. Not only can the harmful bacteria spread to other vital areas of the body, but they can also result in your pearly whites moving out of place.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Whatever the underlying issue is causing your teeth to shift, orthodontics is generally the best solution for it. Both traditional metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners are designed to move your smile into a more ideal alignment. Once your treatment is over, you’ll be able to show off your perfectly straight teeth for many years to come. Your dentist will also give you a custom-made retainer to preserve your results for as long as possible.
So, if you’ve been wanting to straighten your teeth or you just noticed them gradually moving out of place, feel free to contact your dentist. They’ll be more than happy to assess your situation and determine the best way to preserve a healthy smile in the long run!
About the Author
Dr. Natalie Ortiz earned her dental degree from the Creighton University School of Dentistry. She’s also a proud member of several organizations like the American Dental Association and the New Mexico Dental Association. She provides a wide range of high-quality and comprehensive services, including Invisalign. If you’d like to schedule a consultation for orthodontic treatment, visit her website or call 575-521-8720.