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Jun 20, 2020|Teeth Shifting

How to Prevent Teeth Shifting

Teeth Shifting Procedure

Your teeth are not locked into a static position for your entire life, even if you’ve had braces to correct them. In fact, one of the periods that they’re most likely to shift is immediately after your braces get removed. The good news is that you can learn how to prevent teeth shifting, so you minimize this movement. 

Stay on Top of Your Dental Hygiene and Cleaning Schedule

When food and bacteria get lodged between your teeth, they can alter the position over time. Food particles can physically push your teeth, while bacteria can lead to tooth decay that weakens it. Both your daily routine and a twice-annual dental cleaning are important to stop this from impacting your smile. 

Keep Your Retainer Close at Hand 

Your retainer is one of your secret weapons for keeping your post-braces smile looking perfect. It allows your mouth to retain the new positions and stop shifting from happening. In a typical dental treatment plan, your retainer is removable, and you use it frequently in the period immediately following the removal of your braces. While retainers can be inconvenient, they’re an essential part of fixing the teeth in their new location. 

Mind Your Posture

Do you spend a lot of time with your head in your hand while you are in deep concentration? Unfortunately, the pressure that this posture puts on your jaw can lead to your teeth moving over time. It takes some time to change this habit, so pay close attention during this period, so you don’t accidentally continue doing this. You may need to make some changes to the type of office chair you use, the height of your desk, or the position of your computer equipment. 

Switch Up Your Sleep Position

Another way that you could accidentally change the location of your teeth is your sleeping position. If you’re a stomach sleeper, you’re going to need to move to your back or your side. If you have a preference for firm pillows, now’s a good time to get something a bit softer. 

Avoid Grinding Your Teeth

Teeth grinding and clenching can happen when you’re awake or asleep. During the day, you could be holding tension in your body that results in the grinding motion. It’s a common reaction to being stressed out, and it may be a subconscious behavior or an ingrained habit. You can reduce the time you spend doing this by catching yourself each time it happens, and being mindful about the action. Much like changing your posture, this habit takes time to develop. 

If you grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard can protect your teeth so that they aren’t damaged or pushed out of place. It’s quite similar to a retainer, except that you only wear it when you go to bed.

Contact Signature Smiles Today

At Signature Smiles, we know that you have gone through a lot to get the perfect smile. By learning how to prevent teeth shifting, you avoid needing to go back to your dentist for another round of braces. We’re proud to serve our patients in the Parker, CO area with the best possible dental services in a range of areas, including:

  • Dental cleanings
  • Professional teeth whitening
  • Dental crowns
  • Dental cleanings
  • Dental bridges

You deserve to have the beautiful smile of your dreams, but that means that you have to make sure you know how to take care of your teeth. Contact us today at  720.513.8405 to learn more about how you can stop your teeth from shifting. It may take some time to develop the necessary habits, but it’s well worth it in the long run. 

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