We spend a great deal of time and effort ensuring that our teeth are straight. Those who have undergone any kind of orthodontic treatment understand the inherent sacrifices and will always remember their time in braces. But what many patients don’t realize is that straight teeth will not remain straight forever. As we age, factors combine to cause our straight teeth to shift position. Teeth shift is uncomfortable and damaging to your bite. Fortunately, it can be avoided. Dr. Peter Harnois addresses this common but little-discussed dental problem to help you take control of your bite and keep your teeth in line.

Hinsdale Dentist Helps Preserve Your Teeth to Maintain Straight Teeth

While teeth will shift back to previous positions if a retainer is not worn after orthodontic treatment, tooth drift primarily takes place because of missing teeth or worn dentition. Common causes of drifting teeth include

• Cavities – When you have cavities, your tooth structure weakens. Even after having cavities filled, there may be future problems. Avoiding cavities is the best plan for preserving tooth structure. And the way to avoid cavities is with brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental exams.
• Enamel wear – As you age and time passes, your teeth bear the brunt of ongoing forces. This leads to enamel wear. When your dentition becomes worn and your enamel thins, there’s more room between your teeth for them to shift. Help stop enamel wear with fluoride treatments or fluoride products, as well as nightly mouth guards to prevent our next point:
• Teeth grinding – Those experiencing stress often grind their teeth at night – and some even clench during the day. This wreaks havoc on your enamel. Occlusal guards will help stop the grinding and keep your teeth whole.
• Tooth loss – Tooth loss is a huge problem for many reasons, but tooth shift is at the top of the list. Neighboring teeth will move into the empty space left behind. Dental implants and dental restorations will fill those spaces and restore your smile.

If your teeth do shift, not at is lost. Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants and dental restorations. An altered bite can be subtly re-straightened with Invisalign treatment. Teeth lacking in structure may be built up with dental bonding. All treatments mentioned are available at Hinsdale Dentistry. Simply call us to learn more about your options.