How To Prevent Teeth Shifting

When you were younger, your permanent teeth seemed invincible. But as you’ve grown, you’ve learned that teeth don’t have supernatural strength. They can break, and move, and even fall out if not cared for. It is vital to understand how to prevent teeth shifting.

Wear Your Retainer

You get a retainer after braces because teeth naturally move once nothing is holding them in place. In that first year or two, shifting is likely. This is why your orthodontist tells you to wear your retainer most of the time. But even after that time is up, you may still have tooth shifting. And you don’t want to undo what your braces have done. So it’s essential to wear your retainer periodically to make sure your teeth are staying in place.

If you go too long without wearing it, it will no longer fit and you will have to get a new one. For that reason, it’s crucial to create a schedule to wear your retainer even after you’ve stopped seeing the orthodontist.

Take Care of Those Gums

If you’re not regularly brushing and flossing, it won’t take long for gum disease to set in. At first, you might experience redness and puffiness. Your gums bleed if you do try to floss.

But over time, the gingivitis gets worse. The gums begin pulling away from the teeth. This allows even more food and bacteria to get trapped. The result? Tooth decay and loose teeth will move easily. So let’s stick to our healthy habits and take care of those teeth and gums!

Never Use Your Teeth for Pulling or Opening Things

Did you ever see a stunt person water skiing while holding the handle between the teeth? Do not try this at home. When you place abnormal pressure on the teeth, you risk breakage and shifting. So what’s the answer to how to prevent teeth shifting? Only use your teeth for eating. That’s what they’re there for.

Stop Sleeping on Your Face

You may be guilty of this if you’re a stomach sleeper. But sometimes side sleepers do this as well. They put excessive pressure on the mouth while sleeping. And yes, this will move your teeth. If you only sleep on one side, you could even alter the alignment of your jaw.

You can reduce the pressure you’re putting on the teeth and jaw with solutions such as:

A thigh pillow to better align your spine
A softer head pillow
Adjusting the pillow so that the head tilts up slightly
Sleeping on your back as much as possible. If that means addressing sleep apnea or snoring, then please speak with your doctor.

Say No to Grinding

Teeth grinding or clenching is called bruxism. And yes, you can break your teeth with that pressure. Did you know that the human jaw can clench at 70 pounds per square inch? No wonder it makes your teeth and jaw so sore. Bruxism is not a harmless condition. Speak with your dentist if you have this problem, and you can prevent your teeth from shifting at the same time.

How to Prevent Teeth Shifting in Humble, TX

If you’re concerned about your teeth moving, it’s time to speak with a professional. Learn more about what may be causing the movement. Then take steps to take to prevent it.

At Lovett Dental Humble, we offer a full range for oral health care services such as: