Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBracesTooth RemovalTooth GrindingJawbone GrowthGum DiseaseSleep Apnea DevicesTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Braces
Tooth Removal
Tooth Grinding
Jawbone Growth
Gum Disease
Sleep Apnea Devices
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Though you may think thatyour teethare set in place, they actually move and adjust position throughout your life. This is typically normal and unproblematic. However, in some cases, this movement can be more pronounced, causingcrookedness(malocclusion) and sometimespainin the teeth.
There are many reasons that teeth change position, such as from wearingbraces, having teeth removed, grinding teeth, growth of the jaw, and having gum disease. Even wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy device for sleep problems can cause teeth to shift.This article discusses the causes of tooth shifting as well as what you can do treat it.
Yevhenii Orlov / Getty Images
While braces and other orthodontic treatments are effective in fixing uneven smiles, it is possible for the teeth to start shifting back to their original positions. For instance, your teeth may start gradually reverting to how they were if you lose your retainer or stop wearing it after your braces have been removed.
Additionally, significant motion can arise due to problems with fixed retainers, which are those that are permanently bonded to teeth. Like other types, these are often installed following braces to preserve tooth alignment. Issues with these retainers, like broken wires and problems with the bonding agents, can cause teeth to shift.
Orthodontic CheckupsMake sure you’re consistent about going to follow-up appointments during and after orthodontic treatment. This way you’ll be able to catch tooth shifting or other issues. As you undergo treatments, check-ups may be necessary as often as once a month.You should also let your orthodontist know if you encounter any issues or note damage to your appliances.
Orthodontic Checkups
Make sure you’re consistent about going to follow-up appointments during and after orthodontic treatment. This way you’ll be able to catch tooth shifting or other issues. As you undergo treatments, check-ups may be necessary as often as once a month.You should also let your orthodontist know if you encounter any issues or note damage to your appliances.
Another common cause of tooth shifting is tooth removal (also known asdental extraction). This may be done to correct:
Also known asbruxism, tooth grinding can also cause a range of dental issues. In these cases, people grind their teeth and/or clench or tighten their jaw excessively, which can damage teeth. Some people primarily do it at night, which tends to be more problematic, while others clench or grind due to stress or tension throughout the day.
Throughout infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, the upper and lower jaw—themaxillaandmandible, respectively—grow and change shape. Typically, during the teenage years, mandible growth exceeds that of the maxilla, which can cause tooth crowding in your lower set of teeth.In addition, this can lead to malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth).
The resulting tooth shifting is not problematic in most cases. However, it’s possible that changes in bite may occur, which requires treatment.
Gum diseases, such asgingivitis(inflamed, bleeding gums) andperiodontitis(infected gums), may also lead to tooth shifting through secondary bone loss. Periodontitis (a complication of gingivitis) starts to affect the underlying bone, which can cause teeth to become loose or fall out.Some with this condition experience significant tooth mobility as a result.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the use of a special device to treatsleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing disruptions and snoring.Worn overnight, the CPAP apparatus delivers filtered, pressurized air through a tube attached to a full-face mask, a nasal mask, ornasal pillows(earbud-like inserts for the nostrils).
In rare cases, using a CPAP device can cause teeth to move out of alignment, leading to uneven shifting. The air pressure is thought to push the tongue forward, causing shifting and flaring in the front teeth. In addition, retraction, or a slant inward of upper teeth have also been reported because of full-face mask use.
Other sleep apnea devices include the mandibular advancement device (MAD). With long-term use, it can cause significant bite and dental alignment issues.
Removable Retainer
Among the primary means of preventing tooth shifting is wearing a removable retainer. Most often needed after braces have been taken off to preserve the changes to your smile, these appliances apply pressure to keep your teeth from shifting out of place. They’re made of customized acrylic, with wires to put pressure on your teeth.
Usually, your orthodontist will give you specific guidance about how to care for and wear this appliance. Typically, this will involve:
Special retainers such as spring aligners can help treat very mild tooth movements.
Permanent Retainer
In some cases, your orthodontist may recommend you have permanent, or lingual, retainers installed to correct misalignments due to shifting teeth. These braided or bare wires are customized and bonded to the inside of your teeth, functioning much like removable retainers. Though highly effective, you need to ensure you’re cleaning them properly to avoidplaquebuildup.
Mouth Guard
Proper Oral HygieneCritical to taking on shifting teeth is preserving their health. Good oral hygiene means:Brushing properly twice a dayFlossing at least once a dayAvoiding smokingEating a well-balanced dietDrinking fluoridated waterKeeping up with dental appointments for cleanings and checkups
Proper Oral Hygiene
Critical to taking on shifting teeth is preserving their health. Good oral hygiene means:Brushing properly twice a dayFlossing at least once a dayAvoiding smokingEating a well-balanced dietDrinking fluoridated waterKeeping up with dental appointments for cleanings and checkups
Critical to taking on shifting teeth is preserving their health. Good oral hygiene means:
Summary
Teeth can shift for a variety of reasons, including those people can control (braces, tooth removal, retainers, using a CPAP) and those people can’t (jawbone growth, tooth grinding). There is a variety of treatment methods used to fix shifting of the teeth, including using removable or permanent retainers and wearing a mouthguard. If you feel that your teeth are shifting, see a dental professional as soon as you are able.
A Word From Verywell
Whether arising after orthodontic adjustments, dental extractions, or other issues, there’s no doubt that misalignment of your teeth can be a burden. Crooked teeth can cause physical discomfort and affect confidence and feelings of self-worth. The good news is that this issue can be managed. Be proactive. If you’re noticing issues with your smile, see your dentist to correct problems early.
Learn MoreWhat You Need to Know About Braces and Orthodontics
Yes. Everybody’s teeth shift somewhat as they grow and their jaws develop, so some changes to alignment are normal and expected. This is why adolescents and teens often develop crooked teeth. Further, tooth shifting can occur after braces are taken off or from tooth grinding.Learn MoreOverview of Malocclusion
Yes. Everybody’s teeth shift somewhat as they grow and their jaws develop, so some changes to alignment are normal and expected. This is why adolescents and teens often develop crooked teeth. Further, tooth shifting can occur after braces are taken off or from tooth grinding.
Learn MoreOverview of Malocclusion
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pliska B, Almeida F.Tooth movement associated with CPAP therapy.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(04):701-702. doi:10.5664/jcsm.7080Hirsch L for Nemours Children’s Health.The basics of braces. Kidshealth.org.Shaughnessy T, Proffit W, Samara S.Inadvertent tooth movement with fixed lingual retainers.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016;149(2):277-286. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.10.015National Institutes of Health.Tooth extraction. MedlinePlus.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bruxism.Sharma P, Arora A, Valiathan A.Age changes of jaws and soft tissue profile.Sci World J. 2014;2014:1-7. doi:10.1155/2014/301501UK National Health Service.The health risks of gum disease.National Institutes of Health.Positive airway pressure treatment. MedlinePlus.Tsolakis IA, Palomo JM, Matthaios S, Tsolakis AI.Dental and skeletal side effects of oral appliances used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adult patients-a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pers Med. 2022;12(3):483. doi:10.3390/jpm12030483Kartal Y, Kaya B.Fixed orthodontic retainers: a review.Turk J Orthod. 2019;32(02):110-114. doi:10.5152/turkjorthod.2019.18080American Sleep Association.Night guard for bruxism: Teeth grinding and clenching.National Institutes of Health.Oral hygiene. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pliska B, Almeida F.Tooth movement associated with CPAP therapy.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(04):701-702. doi:10.5664/jcsm.7080Hirsch L for Nemours Children’s Health.The basics of braces. Kidshealth.org.Shaughnessy T, Proffit W, Samara S.Inadvertent tooth movement with fixed lingual retainers.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016;149(2):277-286. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.10.015National Institutes of Health.Tooth extraction. MedlinePlus.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bruxism.Sharma P, Arora A, Valiathan A.Age changes of jaws and soft tissue profile.Sci World J. 2014;2014:1-7. doi:10.1155/2014/301501UK National Health Service.The health risks of gum disease.National Institutes of Health.Positive airway pressure treatment. MedlinePlus.Tsolakis IA, Palomo JM, Matthaios S, Tsolakis AI.Dental and skeletal side effects of oral appliances used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adult patients-a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pers Med. 2022;12(3):483. doi:10.3390/jpm12030483Kartal Y, Kaya B.Fixed orthodontic retainers: a review.Turk J Orthod. 2019;32(02):110-114. doi:10.5152/turkjorthod.2019.18080American Sleep Association.Night guard for bruxism: Teeth grinding and clenching.National Institutes of Health.Oral hygiene. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pliska B, Almeida F.Tooth movement associated with CPAP therapy.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(04):701-702. doi:10.5664/jcsm.7080Hirsch L for Nemours Children’s Health.The basics of braces. Kidshealth.org.Shaughnessy T, Proffit W, Samara S.Inadvertent tooth movement with fixed lingual retainers.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016;149(2):277-286. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.10.015National Institutes of Health.Tooth extraction. MedlinePlus.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bruxism.Sharma P, Arora A, Valiathan A.Age changes of jaws and soft tissue profile.Sci World J. 2014;2014:1-7. doi:10.1155/2014/301501UK National Health Service.The health risks of gum disease.National Institutes of Health.Positive airway pressure treatment. MedlinePlus.Tsolakis IA, Palomo JM, Matthaios S, Tsolakis AI.Dental and skeletal side effects of oral appliances used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adult patients-a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pers Med. 2022;12(3):483. doi:10.3390/jpm12030483Kartal Y, Kaya B.Fixed orthodontic retainers: a review.Turk J Orthod. 2019;32(02):110-114. doi:10.5152/turkjorthod.2019.18080American Sleep Association.Night guard for bruxism: Teeth grinding and clenching.National Institutes of Health.Oral hygiene. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Pliska B, Almeida F.Tooth movement associated with CPAP therapy.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(04):701-702. doi:10.5664/jcsm.7080
Hirsch L for Nemours Children’s Health.The basics of braces. Kidshealth.org.
Shaughnessy T, Proffit W, Samara S.Inadvertent tooth movement with fixed lingual retainers.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016;149(2):277-286. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.10.015
National Institutes of Health.Tooth extraction. MedlinePlus.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bruxism.
Sharma P, Arora A, Valiathan A.Age changes of jaws and soft tissue profile.Sci World J. 2014;2014:1-7. doi:10.1155/2014/301501
UK National Health Service.The health risks of gum disease.
National Institutes of Health.Positive airway pressure treatment. MedlinePlus.
Tsolakis IA, Palomo JM, Matthaios S, Tsolakis AI.Dental and skeletal side effects of oral appliances used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adult patients-a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Pers Med. 2022;12(3):483. doi:10.3390/jpm12030483
Kartal Y, Kaya B.Fixed orthodontic retainers: a review.Turk J Orthod. 2019;32(02):110-114. doi:10.5152/turkjorthod.2019.18080
American Sleep Association.Night guard for bruxism: Teeth grinding and clenching.
National Institutes of Health.Oral hygiene. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
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