It’s no secret, as you age, so does your smile. Teeth wear down as we chew for a lifetime.
Did you also know that teeth can move and transition well into adulthood? Here is a summary of 4 common changes orthodontists see in patients as they age:
1.CLINCHING of the lower teeth- As you age, your jaw bone loses density and shrinks. The mismatched size of the jaw bone with the teeth can lead to crowding of the lower front teeth. Crowding may also occur due to other problems such as mouth breathing, reverse swallowing, tongue thrust or facial trauma.
2. SPACING between front teeth .- Spacing between incisor teeth is known as diastema, and can develop for a variety of reasons. Crowding of the teeth or jaws and disproportionate teeth can cause gradual spacing to occur. Swallowing, with the pressure of the tongue pressing against the front teeth, rather than being placed on the roof of the mouth, can also cause the teeth to separate over time. Gum disease is another trigger for spacing, due to inflammation.
3. Post-orthodontic tooth CHANGE – Our bodies change throughout our lives, and our teeth change as well. After orthodontic treatment, a retainer is needed to hold teeth in position. As we age, if teeth are restored or lost, new, properly fitting retainers will be needed to prevent unwanted changes.
4. Incorrect BITE Do you have headaches, clicking in your jaws, grinding your teeth or even back pain? You may have a bite disorder, which occurs when the upper and lower jaws do not align, called malocclusion. These changes may be completely normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. The number of adults undergoing orthodontic treatment is at an all-time high. An estimated 1.61 million adults underwent orthodontic treatment in the United States. In 2018. That’s one in four adults! Whether you are eight years old or 80 years old, the biological process of orthodontic treatment is the same. Adults have denser bone tissue than children, so treatment may take a little longer, but age does not prevent teeth from moving.
CONTACT US, WE WILL BE PLEASED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS….
