What Causes Teeth to Shift?

Teeth are fascinating. Even though they may seem firmly planted in your child’s jaw, they can still sometimes drift out of alignment, even if there’s not much available space for them to move to. This can happen due to a variety of reasons but can thankfully be corrected with the help of orthodontics. Here are a few common reasons your child’s teeth may have gradually moved, and what you can do to correct it.

Why Do Teeth Move?

Shifting teeth can be caused by many things. In teens and children, it is most commonly due to developmental issues like emerging permanent teeth. If your child’s arches have not finished growing, or if they are simply too small to accommodate adult teeth, this can cause both their permanent and any remaining baby teeth to shift.

Another common cause of shifting teeth is the eruption of wisdom teeth. These “third molars” can sometimes grow sideways, cause crowding, or even push your child’s existing teeth so they shift or break. This is why many young adults end up getting theirs extracted.

Teeth grinding is another issue that could be responsible for shifting. That’s because grinding can wear down the tooth enamel, changing the size and shape of the teeth. This in turn creates space in the arches, causing them to shift positions.

How Do I Treat Shifted Teeth?

If your child’s teeth have shifted or are misaligned, orthodontic treatment can help. Children can begin wearing traditional braces at around age nine, while teenagers can undergo treatment like Invisalign at around age 13, or as soon as they have all their permanent teeth. For adults, there is no upper age limit on orthodontics, which is especially helpful since shifting teeth can often be a bigger problem in adulthood due to lost teeth, gum disease, and the natural aging process.

Remember, it is natural for your teeth to shift slightly with time, but other outside influences like poor oral health, wisdom teeth, and even bad habits like teeth grinding can all cause movement, too. If you’re interested in getting your bite under control and correcting teeth that have moved out of alignment, speak to your orthodontist today.

About Our Practice

At Arlington Heights Orthodontic & Pediatric Dentistry, we are proud to help protect your child’s smile. Whether they need an exam and cleaning, have a dental emergency, or you’d like to prevent their teeth from shifting or correct their bite alignment, we’re here to assist you.

To schedule an orthodontic evaluation with us, please visit our website or call us today at 847-255-3020.