How to Prevent Teeth from Shifting
It can take at least several months, if not years, after treatment with braces or invisible aligners for the teeth to securely settle into their new positions, as the gums and oral tissues are all still vulnerable as everything heals into place after months or years of pressure and mobility. Until the teeth are properly anchored and the gums have returned to their protective positions around them, the teeth are more likely to shift back into the positions they previously occupied, and, in light of the cost and possible hassles of orthodontic treatment, this is less than ideal, to say the least. Thankfully, there are established, effective methods designed to keep the teeth in place after orthodontic treatment, and these methods manageably prevent the teeth from shifting.
Braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic treatments serve the primary function of treating issues with the alignment of the teeth and of the bite. Most of these orthodontic treatment methods use pressure, gradually applied over time, to move the teeth into more functional and aesthetic alignment, often with braces or other devices designed to apply pressure to the teeth and shift their position in the jaws. The most widely known way to keep teeth from shifting after orthodontic treatment is with a retainer. Retainers are considerably less forceful and intense than braces and Invisalign, designed to hold the teeth in place while the oral tissues recover from more aggressive orthodontic treatments. In many cases, retainers are designed to be worn only some of the time, and some retainers are even invisible; in any case, a retainer can make a world of difference in preventing the teeth from shifting after orthodontic treatment, and, if your orthodontist recommends that you use one, the best way to keep the teeth in place is to adhere to their instructions.
Keeping the gums and teeth clean and cared for is another way to help the teeth stay in place and prevent them from shifting. The gums are responsible for protecting the teeth in their proper positions, and they need to recover after the more-aggressive pressures of orthodontic treatment. While a retainer helps in this regard, keeping the gums clean also has a tremendous impact on the overall success of orthodontic treatment and stabilization of the teeth. Following orthodontic treatment, there are usually spaces and gaps in the gums and between the gums and the teeth; these spaces settle and fill in as the gums recover and the teeth anchor, and the recovery of the gums is vital to the overall success of any orthodontic treatment. When the gums aren’t kept sufficiently clean, the tissue softens and the teeth are more prone to shifting, which means that tooth and gum hygiene is even more important following orthodontic treatment than it is normally.
Orthodontists also recommend sleeping on your back as you recover from braces or Invisalign, as the pressure exerted on the jaw during side- or stomach-sleeping can move the teeth when the gums are vulnerable after orthodontia. Neck pillows can help divert facial pressure if sleeping on your back is challenging. It’s also important to pay attention to minor mouth idiosyncrasies if you want to prevent your teeth from shifting after braces of Invisalign. Try to modify habits like tongue probing, clenching, or grinding as you recover from orthodontic treatments to help ensure that the teeth stay in place. Actions as common as leaning your face on your hands can impart enough pressure to cause the teeth to shift and should be avoided for at least a few months after orthodontic treatment. It’s helpful to think of your orthodontic treatment and newly restored teeth as an investment, recognizing the importance of following all recommendations to keep the teeth from shifting after treatment.