When you love the way your smile looks, the idea of shifting teeth can be very scary. It is true that your teeth tend to move around a little over time, especially if you have recently had dental braces. However, it is possible to keep a straight smile. Here are some tips on how to prevent your teeth from shifting to keep your teeth in the ideal position.
Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions After You Get Braces
The most common reason teeth shift is simply that they are trying to move back into their old position following the removal of braces or any type of restorative dentistry services. If you have had any treatments to realign your teeth, it is essential to pay attention to your dentist’s instructions for aftercare. When braces first move your teeth into a new position, the ligaments holding your teeth in place want to try to snap back into their old position.
To keep this from happening, you need to regularly wear a retainer. This will help provide gentle, even pressure to reinforce the new position of your teeth. Most orthodontists will recommend you wear your retainer full time for about four months after braces. You will then need to wear it at night for at least a year after having your braces removed. Each case is different, though, so you should always wear your retainer for as long as your dentist tells you to.
Take Good Care of Your Gums
Another incredibly common reason for tooth shifting is gum disease. When you have periodontal disease, you get pockets of infection seated deep within your gums. These infections gradually eat away at gum tissue and may, eventually, remove bone tissue as well. Without all the supportive structure of the gum and bone tissue, your teeth can get looser and start shifting around.
If you want to prevent this, it is essential to take diligent care of your gums. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, you also need to floss once a day to clean in between your teeth. If your gums exhibit redness, puffiness, or bleeding, you may need to visit your local periodontist. These experts in gum care can reverse gingivitis before it is too late and offer treatments like deep cleanings and root planing to help remove infection and stabilize your teeth.
More Tips on How to Prevent Your Teeth From Shifting
In general, most tooth shifting prevention tips are all about taking good care of your teeth. Any time you lose a tooth, the empty space in your mouth allows for more shifting. Therefore, it is important to practice good oral hygiene. In addition to brushing and flossing daily, you need to schedule regular dental cleanings. If you do lose a tooth, you will need to address the problem immediately instead of ignoring it. A dental implant or dental bridge can help fill up the gap, which will keep the teeth from shifting into the empty space.
Constant pressure on the teeth can also cause shifting, so people who grind their teeth can end up with their teeth shifting. The best way to prevent this is to talk to a dentist about bruxism. They can recommend a mouth guard to hold your mouth in a more neutral position at night.
Lovett Dental can provide you with the cleanings, fillings, and implants you need to keep your smile straight. If your teeth are already starting to shift, our skilled orthodontists can recommend retainers, braces or clear aligners that can help get your teeth back into the right position. Call Lovett Dental of Beaumont at 409-924-8100 to schedule your next appointment.
