The human body changes with age, and the mouth is no exception. While many people believe that they can expect their teeth to stay in place after orthodontic treatment, the truth is that they will continue to move as the mouth continues to develop. While injury, illness, and age can all cause changes in the mouth’s structure, more and more adults are turning to orthodontics to help them achieve their ideal smile. Here’s more about how your teeth can shift out of place over time and what you can do to keep them straight.
How Can the Jaw Change Over Time?
The face and jaw will change over the course of the aging process, and this can contribute to teeth shifting from their position. This can result in new gaps forming or the teeth becoming more crowded. The muscles and ligaments in the face, such as those in the jaw, also change over time. The teeth can become looser as a result of bones, muscles, and connective tissue growing weaker, which can alter your bite. The jawbones will become more prominent over the course of life, and the way they shift forward can cause misalignments.
Can Teeth Grinding Force My Teeth Out of Place?
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is an unfortunately common stress response. Some people do it consciously during their waking hours and others do it involuntarily while they sleep. This habit can alter the bite by wearing teeth down and pushing them out of alignment. If you’re doing it while awake, being aware of the habit can help you break it. If you’re doing it while sleeping, a special mouthguard can provide your teeth with optimal protection.
How Can My Teeth Stay in Their Proper Positions?
Thankfully, orthodontic treatments can bring a patient’s teeth into better alignment at any age. Traditional braces are a tried-and-true way to straighten out a smile, and they can produce superior results even for complex cases. Invisalign, on the other hand, can realign a patient’s teeth without the conspicuous metal wires and brackets that come with braces while allowing the patient to eat whatever they want.
Any orthodontic treatment will require a patient to wear a retainer afterward to preserve its results. Straighter teeth can provide a patient with a lifetime of benefits such as easier dental hygiene, relief from headaches, and a beautiful smile.
About the Author
Dr. Dalia Georgy earned her dental doctorate at the University of Oklahoma and has since accrued over 200 continuing education credits. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the Oklahoma Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Her office in Glenpool, OK offers traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners, and other orthodontic treatments. For more information on orthodontics for adults, contact her office online or dial (918) 201-1414.