Can Your Teeth Move Overnight?

Numerous people think that adult teeth won’t change or move over their lifetime because they’re permanent. This is false: adult teeth do and can shift over time, whether or not you had braces as a teenager or child. So yes, teeth move overnight, though the change might be imperceptible at first.

Regardless of dental decay or bad habits, our teeth usually shift over time, resulting in gaps, misalignment, and crookedness. It takes time to notice a changing appearance. While drifting teeth occur overnight, the change may be imperceptible. This can make it difficult to recognise the difference in your smile.

For this reason, you should ensure you are wearing your retainer as advised by your orthodontist. Remain engaged with your dental hygiene and take notice if you’re suddenly having an easier time flossing between your teeth. Or if food is getting stuck in broader gaps.

Here are some of the causes of drifting teeth.

Retainers After Braces Treatment

After your braces have been removed, your Orthodontist may provide you with a retainer. This is to ensure that your teeth don’t relapse into their pre-treatment position. At first, you will need to wear it for about a week, only removing it to eat or clean. However, as your teeth become ‘set’ in their new position, you’ll only need to wear your retainer at nights and then eventually only one night per week.

Excess Tooth Decay

Untreated tooth decay produces numerous problems, including periodontal disease and other infections. When the gums start receding due of decay, the teeth will loosen and start shifting due to the lack of support. However, severe tooth decay is easily preventable if you visit your dentist every 6 months.

Prolonged Periods of Tooth Loss

While we can lose teeth for various reasons, it’s important to find a way of replacing them. If too much time elapses before restoration takes place- whether in the form of a bridge, implant, or denture- the current teeth will start moving into the empty spaces to support the jawbone. This can produce severe problems with the bite position.

Upon consultation, a dentist will inform you of the available restorative options that will help maintain straight teeth.

Inappropriately Placed Fillings

Part of proper filling placement includes examining a patient’s bite contact. This will ensure your lower and upper dental arches come together in a comfortable manner. However, problems arise when the bite check is incomplete and the arches remain poorly aligned.

Subtly, the teeth will move overnight and during the day in an attempt to support the newly created positioning. This frequently leads to headaches, jaw pain, and toothaches. After your dentist places a filling, ensure you communicate if there is any discomfort.

Teeth Move Overnight

It’s important to note that your teeth can continue changing positions after the younger years, both during the day and during the night. Once you notice any changes, it’s imperative you take action. Before crooked teeth, gaps, and a poor bite emerge in your smile.

Book an orthodontic consultation for your misalignment with Bachmayer Orthodontics in Sydney’s West.