What Causes Your Bite to Shift?

Have you noticed a slight change in your teeth’ alignment? Does your smile appear off balance? If so, your bite has likely shifted. The professional term in dentistry is malocclusion. There are many reasons why teeth move out of place, including crowded or crooked teeth and misalignment between your upper and lower jaws.

The results of severe malocclusion are teeth grinding, facial changes, speech difficulties, breathing issues, and chewing problems. When your bite is aligned correctly, it helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other mouth concerns.

Causes of Teeth Shifting

Malocclusion can occur at any age and for various reasons. Proper oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits can help ward off the condition. But some cases require more extensive procedures. Common causes of teeth shifting include:

• Advanced Gum Disease: When gingivitis progresses and becomes periodontal disease, no good can come of it. Gum recession, bone and tooth loss, as well as misalignment is likely to result.
• Age: As we grow older, our lips become smaller and tighter. This alteration can lead to changes in the facial structure. It also puts pressure on your teeth from an odd angle. Eventually, teeth crowding and misalignment will result.
• Dental Trauma or Injury: Children, teenagers, and young adults tend to experience the most dental injuries that affect their bite, including avulsion, fractures, subluxation, and extrusion.
• Genetic Predisposition: Some people inherit bite issues. If your siblings, parents, or other relatives have malocclusion, chances are, so will you. Genetic disorders like cleft palate or lip can also change your bite.
• Missing Teeth: A gapped smile is the most common cause of oral health complications. Dental trauma, everyday wear and tear, gum, and bone disease can all lead to tooth loss. The spaces left by missing teeth allow the existing teeth to move towards the hollow areas. When this happens, your bite is compromised.

If your bite is misaligned, there’s no need to fear. The Tracy, CA dentists at Valley View Dental offer many solutions to correct malocclusions, including traditional metal braces, clear plastic aligners, and retainers.

Ask Your Tracy, CA Dental Professional

While various triggers lead to bite changes, you can be proactive about your oral health. Keeping up with routine dental checkups allows us to identify symptoms early. Then we can devise an effective treatment plan.