Shifting Teeth with Age
Why do our teeth shift with age? Well, to some extent its natural. Our bodies change, lose some of that tautness and strength we experienced in youth, and so does our jaw. When we were children, and we lost our baby teeth to make way for adult ones, the gums produced odontoclasts to signal the loss of the teeth and stimulate resorption. Our gum tissues loosened and absorbed some of the cells nearby, and our teeth fell out. Then our gums were more rigid for awhile after the adult teeth become set. But our jaw was always changing, as our bodies grew so did our jaw and our gums. The living tissues of our mouth continued to grow and change, and without noticing it, so did the placement and spacing of our teeth.
Now, if we are noticing Teeth Shifting again, we have to ascertain whether it is natural, due to changes or growth in our body; or whether it is a symptom of an underlying disease, infection, or trauma.
What does Teeth Shifting look like?
When flossing, are you noticing that one area is easier to floss than it was before? Are some teeth crowded or closer together than usual? Is there an area that your brush and it seems to be bleeding? These are all symptoms that you should note during your dental hygiene routine and report back on during dentist visits/ Any of these could be worthwhile to discuss with your dentist before examination.
What are causes for Concern when it comes to shifting teeth?
Tooth movement could be a concern if it is caused by:
1. Infection- infection in the mouth is just as bad as when it is in the body. Infection destroys healthy tissue, destroys healthy teeth, creates pockets in the gums, and weakens the internal support system of your teeth.
2. Trauma- Was there a fall, slip, or hit that damaged your teeth? If a tooth was removed or damaged, it could be creating space for other teeth to shift nearby. If this problem is not correcte or treated promptly, the jenga blocks within your mouth may come tumbling, leaving you with gaps and difficult speaking and chewing.
3. Tooth Loss- When you lose teeth, and you dont replace them the gums become less durable, more dry, and the teeth around them suffer too. This can cause the gums to expose the root of the teeth, can cause teeth to shift, and teeth to fall out.
Treatment for Shifting Teeth with Age
Teeth Replacement- If you are missing teeth, investigate replacement options like implants, bridges, dentures, and crowns. These can all help to secure spacing of the teeth in the mouth, and implants actually integrate with the jaw too!
Restorative Hygiene- Believe it or not, with regular care and cleanings, a lot of infections are treated. And when the gums are disease free, they are able to grow and support the tissues around them again.
You also may benefits from orthodontic treatment.
Consult with your Dentist at first signs of Tooth Shifting to learn more.