Many older dental patients are worried that their teeth are shifting as they get older. Do your teeth naturally shift as you age?
Unfortunately, your teeth may be subject to shifting as you age due to the wear and tear of biting down, eating, and countless other things. If you have noticed that your teeth have started to shift as you get older, there are things you can do about it.
What Causes Teeth To Shift With Age?
Due to the fact that you are constantly using your teeth and putting pressure on them throughout your life means that they will slowly shift around over time. Although not all of the reasons your teeth shift are preventable, there are some ways that you can minimize how much your teeth will shift.
Wisdom Teeth
If you have never had your wisdom teeth removed, your teeth may become crowded and start to shift as they come in. When this happens, your other teeth may start to move out of the way to make room for your wisdom teeth, causing them to shift.
While you can’t necessarily prevent your wisdom teeth from coming in, you can have them removed before they have a chance to crowd your other teeth and cause them to shift.
Gum Disease
If you have gum disease, your gums may start to recede. This can cause your teeth to become loose and shift around. If you are suffering from gum disease, it is important to get it treated as soon as possible to prevent your teeth from shifting.
Tooth Decay
According to Webmd, tooth decay can cause your teeth to shift with age. This mainly happens when you loose teeth and don’t have the gaps fixed. Just as wisdom teeth will crowd your teeth and cause them to shift, having a missing tooth will leave extra space in your mouth allowing your teeth to shift to fill the gap.
How to Prevent Your Teeth From Shifting As You Age
If you want to ensure that your teeth stay aligned as you age, you should make sure that you are practicing good oral hygiene and seeing the dentist regularly. If you’re keeping your teeth and gums clean by flossing and brushing regularly, you won’t need to worry about gum disease or tooth decay shifting your teeth.
If you are visiting a dentist twice a year, they will be able to help you with your oral hygiene and make sure that your teeth aren’t starting to shift over time.
How to Fix Teeth That Have Already Shifted with Age
If you believe that your teeth have already started to shift as you age, and you would like to have them realigned, there are always options available to you. You can consult with your dentist to see if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment or another type of cosmetic procedure. If Invisalign isn’t an option for you, many older dental patients opt into getting a whole new smile with a set of veneers.
Contact Lane and Associates Family Dentistry
If you would like to learn more about Invisalign or veneers, contact Lane and Associates Family Dentistry today! We have offices throughout North Carolina and would love to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Although aging may cause your teeth to shift, there are plenty of things that you can do about it. Whether you want to prevent your teeth from shifting in the first place or you already have shifted teeth and would like to fix them, Lane and Associates is here to help! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
