Why Do Teeth Shift as You Age?

Your body undergoes several changes as you age, and your mouth isn’t an exception. Disease, tooth loss, or the simple daily chewing and grinding actions cause your teeth to shift, leaving you uncomfortable with your smile and needing to see one of your go-to Coral Gables dentists.

Understanding what causes teeth to move is the first step in finding solutions to stabilize your smile, which is key as you age. In this article, we’ll cover those reasons, offer some signs to look out for, and explain why prompt action is crucial in these circumstances.

What Causes Teeth Shifting as You Age?

Although often overlooked, teeth move over time. Teeth shifting and changing positions as you age is a very common phenomenon. In fact, research indicates that over 75% of older adults will eventually deal with some degree of tooth movement and dental misalignment.

Your teeth may shift for a variety of reasons, and the condition usually gets worse over the years. Here are some of them:

1. Jawbone Density Loss

Your jawbone serves as the strong framework that maintains the alignment of your teeth. Naturally, as you age, it gradually loses volume and density.

Because of this bone tissue erosion, teeth are not as strongly supported structurally, and as a result, they become looser and more prone to shifting. The main causes of jawbone density loss are:

• Natural Aging Process: Over time, the bones in your body lose mass. Bone is a living tissue that constantly renews itself. The problem is that, while you're young, bone removal outpaces loss. But mid-life, natural bone loss accelerates, outpacing renewal and leading to progressive bone thinning. This thinning bone makes it easier for teeth to drift.

• Missing Teeth: The area of your jawbone beneath a missing tooth begins to deteriorate. This is due to the fact that the tooth root supplies nutrients—vitamins and minerals—that are essential to the health of the bone. This causes adjacent teeth to become looser and bone to be lost more quickly.

• Periodontal Disease: When there is persistent gum inflammation, the gums separate from the teeth and create infected pockets. The immune system's reaction to this infection causes the body to release chemicals that degrade the connective tissue and bone that hold teeth in place. This advancing bone loss fuels teeth shifting.

• Menopause: Women's decreased estrogen levels after menopause hasten the loss of bone density. If it drops below normal, it can cause osteoporosis and leave you at a higher risk for fractures, besides raising the possibility of teeth shifting. Because of that, it's very important to increase your calcium intake and get regular check-ups.

2. Changes in the Gum Tissue

Your gums play a critical role in maintaining your teeth firmly in place. Gums that are not as healthy can not adequately anchor your teeth, which can also have an impact on the bones underneath. Some of the reasons behind gum deterioration are:

• Periodontitis and Gingivitis: Chronic infection results in inflammatory, swollen gums that pull away from teeth, increasing the chances of teeth drifting.

• Hormone Swings: The rise and fall of progesterone and estrogen during adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause can impact gum tissue and make teeth more prone to move.

• Bad Dental Hygiene: Insufficient brushing and flossing causes tartar, plaque accumulation, and receding gums.

• Medication: Certain medications, such as blood pressure and antidepressants, can lead to gum disease and dry mouth.

3. Missing Teeth

As time goes by, you may lose teeth due to decay, periodontal disease, or injury.

In an attempt to fill in the spaces, the remaining teeth will progressively rotate, tilt, or drift toward those empty spaces, leading to crooked teeth and worsening your bite alignment.

4. Uneven Chewing and Bite Forces

If your upper and lower dental arches do not bite together symmetrically, your teeth will experience unequal chewing forces. This may eventually lead to some teeth-shifting positions.

Your bite alignment is changed by the abnormal pressures that result from years of chewing on your molars, which wear down their biting surfaces unevenly.

Furthermore, dental work like crowns and fillings slightly changes the size and shape of teeth, but not enough to cause a misalignment in your bite.

5. Daily Habits

Certain lifestyle habits put an excessive and persistent strain on your teeth, which can lead to unwanted tooth movement:

• Bruxism or Grinding: Over time, severe grinding forces are applied to teeth when you grind or clench your teeth, frequently at night.

• Tongue Thrusting: Teeth become misaligned when persistent, excessive tongue pressure is applied to them.

• Biting Your Nails or Chewing on Hard Items: Teeth aren’t designed to open bottles and fix things; in that manner, there are specialized tools. Using them as such is a negative habit that traumatizes teeth, causing them to move. Biting your nails has the same consequences.

• Failing to Wear Your Retainers: Teeth can easily relapse if removable retainers are not worn as directed.

6. Pregnancy

Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy have been found to increase the likelihood of teeth shifting. Elevated progesterone and estrogen can alter bone density and gum health, which can allow teeth to move and complicate orthodontic treatment.

Additionally, during pregnancy, the mouth's ligaments and bones may momentarily relax, causing teeth to jiggle a little. Even though tooth loss is uncommon, it can result in misaligned bites and unintentional tooth movements.

This can be prevented with the prompt aid of a dental professional.  

How Much Movement Can You Expect as You Age?

The precise amount of tooth movement that is deemed to be within "normal" bounds as you age is not precisely measured or established as a clinical threshold. Over time, most people do notice slight, gradual changes in the alignment of their bite:  

According to studies, after the age of 20, the upper front incisor teeth tip an average of 0.36 millimeters inward. After age 20, the lower first molars may flare outward by an average of 0.12 mm.  

The natural inward or outward creeping of teeth is usually well within normal limits and is not likely to cause significant issues on its own. In some cases, though, quickly worsening and severe misalignment can become a pathological issue that requires treatment.

When Does Teeth Shifting Begin?

Although tooth movement can start gently at an early age, it usually picks up speed and becomes obvious at these key life stages:

• Early Adulthood: When you stop wearing retainers in your late teens and early 20s and get rid of your braces or aligners, it is not uncommon to experience some orthodontic relapse.

• Pregnancy: Hormone changes in your mouth during pregnancy in your 20s or 30s can affect oral tissues and cause instability in your teeth.

• Menopause and Perimenopause: Lowering estrogen levels in your 40s, 50s, and beyond raises the risk of misalignment and hasten bone loss.

• Old Age: People over 50 are generally more likely to suffer from issues such as receding gums, missing teeth, and weakened jawbones that permit teeth shifting.  

Nonetheless, tooth movement can occur at any age. While small shifts may occur gradually and over decades, if treatment is not received, they usually get worse over time.

Signs that Your Teeth Are Beginning to Shift

To prevent severe teeth shifting, being able to identify its signs is key.

If your dentist intervenes with preventive care, you may be able to solve the problem before shifts become permanent. This is especially crucial if you’re experiencing bite problems or if a tooth is suddenly very loose, causing you difficulties eating or biting.

Besides getting routine dental exams, here are some factors to look out for:

• Noticing more overcrowding, crooked or spaces between teeth

• Fresh tiny cracks or spaces emerging between teeth

• The bite feels unsteady or uneasy when chewing

• Abrupt, slight alterations in speech patterns

• Teeth breaking or chipping more frequently

• Having trouble eating or feeling uncomfortable

• Noticing significant alterations in the length or width of the teeth

• Noticing a "gummy smile," where gum tissue is more apparent

If you notice any of these indicators and suspect you may be experiencing teeth shifting, let your dentist know right away! Don’t delay too long before addressing teeth that are noticeably moving.

How Can a Dentist Verify Tooth Movement?

Any suspected tooth movement can be confirmed by your dentist by:  

• Taking x-rays before and after to identify shifting roots and other obvious signs

• Examining the tooth for a loose bite or imperfect molar contact

• Checking to see if teeth are noticeably loose

• Measuring tooth size changes and gum recession

• Checking if the midlines have moved away from the central axis

After the movement has been verified, we can take several actions to go back on it, from adapting your current retainers to encouraging orthodontic treatments like clear aligners if the changes are too drastic.

Maintain Your Aligned Smile with our Team of Coral Gables Dentists

Most misalignment problems start after middle age. While not all tooth movement requires immediate treatment, reporting significant changes to your dentist will avoid complications and help you restore your smile to what you’re used to.

Reach out to Coral Gables Dentistry, and let’s gauge your situation in detail!