Why Are My Teeth Shifting? They Used to Be Straight!
Posted on 07/22/2022
You look in the mirror one day and notice something different: your teeth don’t seem as straight as they used to be.
Maybe your lower front teeth are beginning to overlap. Perhaps a small gap has appeared, or your bite simply feels different.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it. Teeth can keep shifting throughout adulthood, even if you had perfectly straight teeth for many years.
Why Do Teeth Shift as We Get Older?
Your teeth are not permanently fixed in one position. The bone and tissues surrounding them continue to change throughout your lifetime, and everyday forces from biting and chewing can contribute to gradual movement.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, adult teeth can naturally shift over time — whether or not you had braces when you were younger.
Several factors can contribute.
You Stopped Wearing Your Retainer
This is one of the most common reasons previously straight teeth begin moving again.
After braces or clear aligner treatment, retainers help maintain your teeth's new position. Without consistent retainer wear, teeth can gradually begin drifting.
Even years after treatment, your teeth may keep moving.
If your old retainer suddenly feels tight or no longer fits properly, don't force it. An orthodontist can evaluate how much movement has occurred and recommend the appropriate next step.
Natural Changes Over Time
Your mouth continues to change throughout adulthood.
Bone remodeling, changes in your bite, normal wear, and chewing forces can all influence tooth position over time. Small movements may eventually become noticeable as crowding, overlapping, or changes in your bite.
The lower front teeth are an especially common area where adults begin noticing crowding.
Missing Teeth
When a tooth is lost, the neighboring teeth may gradually move toward the open space.
That movement can affect both the appearance of your smile and the way your upper and lower teeth come together.
Replacing missing teeth and having your bite evaluated can help prevent additional problems.
Gum and Periodontal Problems
Healthy gums and supporting bone are important for keeping teeth stable.
Periodontal disease can damage the tissues and bone that support your teeth. In more advanced cases, teeth may loosen or change position.
That's one reason regular examinations and cleanings with your general dentist remain important throughout adulthood.
Clenching and Grinding
Grinding or clenching your teeth can place significant forces on your teeth and supporting structures.
While grinding isn't necessarily the sole cause of shifting teeth, an orthodontist or dentist may want to evaluate excessive wear, bite changes, or other signs of bruxism when determining why your smile has changed.
Can Shifting Teeth Be Straightened Again?
In many cases, yes.
Adult orthodontic treatment has become increasingly common, and age alone generally isn't a barrier to having orthodontic treatment.
Depending on how much your teeth have moved, treatment might involve:
- Clear aligners
- Traditional braces
- Limited orthodontic treatment for a small area
- A new or replacement retainer when appropriate
The best option depends on your teeth, gums, bite, and how much movement has occurred.
Don't Wait Until Minor Shifting Becomes Major Crowding
If you notice your teeth starting to move, having them evaluated sooner can be worthwhile.
A relatively small orthodontic correction today may be much easier than waiting until your teeth are more crowded or your bite has changed significantly.
At Tollgate Orthodontics, we treat adults throughout Rhode Island who want to straighten teeth that have shifted or maintain results from previous orthodontic treatment.
We offer discreet orthodontic options, including clear aligners, along with flexible payment options designed to make treatment more manageable.
Ready to Find Out Why Your Teeth Are Shifting?
Schedule a complimentary consultation with Tollgate Orthodontics.
We'll evaluate your teeth and bite, discuss what may be causing the movement, and explain your treatment options.
Once treatment is complete, we'll help you protect your newly straightened smile with the right retainer plan.
Your teeth may have moved — but that doesn't mean you have to live with them that way.