Why Are My Teeth Shifting?

 

Why Are My Teeth Shifting After Having Braces?

Uh oh! It’s been a few years since you’ve completed orthodontic treatment and you’re wondering why your teeth are shifting after having braces. Did you know the #1 reason this occurs is due to the lack of retainer wear? Retainers are actually the only way to prevent your teeth from wanting to go back into their old position. If you are not wearing your retainer regularly after having braces, your teeth may want to shift for a variety of reasons… Visit our website to learn more about the importance of wearing retainers.  

Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding or clenching your teeth can be a very destructive. Not only does it wear down the enamel on your teeth, but it can also result in shorter teeth and bite/facial changes. Grinding puts unnecessary pressure on your teeth which causes them to shift in different directions.

Tooth Loss

When you have a missing tooth, the teeth on either side will want to drift into the empty space causing total misalignment. This is why it is always a good idea to replace the missing tooth with an implant, fixed bridge or removable partial. At the very least, wearing a retainer every night will prevent teeth shifting.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease occurs when the gums surrounding your teeth become so damaged it eventually destroys the bone supporting your teeth. When this occurs, teeth become more mobile causing them to move in different directions and/or fall out completely.

Aging

Natural physiologic drift is what happens when teeth move as you age. Your facial bones continue to grow throughout your lifetime usually resulting in the lower jaw growing forward and becoming more narrow. This causes your lower teeth to crow or overlap.

Genetics

Relapse occurs because teeth have memory and will want to move back into the position they were in before you had braces.

Preventing Your Teeth from Shifting

If you want to make sure your teeth do not shift after having braces, it’s extremely important that your remember to wear your retainer every night! If you realize you missed a few days and your retainer is no longer fitting properly, call your orthodontist immediately. This could be due to a damaged retainer or your teeth already starting to shift. If the retainer you wear is permanent (bonded) your orthodontist will want to make sure it is still working properly and hasn’t broken without you being aware.

Here at Spannhake Orthodontics, we encourage you to see your general dentist every 6 months to minimize decay and prevent periodontitis. Also be sure to address any bite problems you may be experiencing at this time along with grinding issues. By staying on top of your oral health, you can prevent many issues from progressing and your teeth from shifting. Above all else, always remember how important retainer wear is. At Spannhake Orthodontics, we only want our patients to have to wear braces once. 

Take A Pizza My Heart

National Pepperoni Pizza Day 

Thursday, September 20th

 

National Pepperoni Pizza Day

According to legend, Raffaele Esposito created the first pizza in 1889 in honor of the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. A pizza topped with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella represented the colors of the Italian flag was aptly named Pizza Margherita.

While pizza might be most heavily associated with the Italians, pepperoni pizza is purely American. Served on more than a third of American pizza orders, it’s safe to say that pepperoni is America’s Sweetheart.   

September 20^th is a day set aside to pay homage to the most popular pizza ever created…Pepperoni Pizza! So get the invitations in the mail…cause you’re throwing a Pizza Party! 

Photo provided by birthdayexpress.com

Rather than call up your favorite Pizza Parlor, considering Throwing a “Make Your Own Mini Pizza” Party and create a DIY Mini Pizza Bar where all of your friends and family can come together to celebrate. 

What You Will Need: 

Pizza Dough 

Pizza Sauce 

Toppings (cheese, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, onions, and of course, Pepperoni) 

You can always make your own Light and Fluffy Pizza Dough, but if you don’t have time for that, don't worry, you can purchase ready made Pizza Dough or even use Pre-Made Pizza Crusts.

Photo provided by www.pillsbury.com

And no celebration would be complete without a cake!...a Pizza Cake that is! This simple recipe for a layered pepperoni pizza cake is sure to be a hit. It’s just a layer of pizza, topped with another layer of pizza, topped with another layer of pizza, and all wrapped up in Pillsbury dough. Yes…we know…it sounds delicious.

Braces are Magnetic

Image provided by colourmovie.com

We all know someone who has a friend who has a brother who knows a guy that had braces...so the story must be true. 

There are a lot of myths about orthodontics and getting braces, some of which have been told so many times, by so many different people, they are now believed to be the truth. Well...guess what? Even if you know the guy who has the brother who has the friend...the story is most likely an Urban Legend. 

Legend: Only children and teens need to visit an orthodontist. 

TRUTH: It is very typical for adults to experience rotation or misalignment of teeth. If you’ve still got teeth, Dr. Spannhake can straighten them! Certainly there are age-related changes that affect the way treatment proceeds. Restorative needs and periodontal concerns necessitate a full diagnosis and discussion of your needs...but the truth is...everyone, no matter what their age, can enjoy the benefits of a healthy, pleasing smile. Health, happiness and self-esteem are important at any age. 

Legend: Braces interfere with radio signals and electronic devices. 

TRUTH: In theory any metal can act as an antenna. Radio signals are modulated electro-magnetic waves transmitted through the air. In order for these transmitted signals to travel well in air, they must be sent at high-frequencies. This is achieved through modulation. Even if someone's braces could receive these frequencies, it would have to be decoded to actually hear any messages. 

Legend: Braces are just for cosmetic purposes and aren’t necessary for your overall dental health. 

TRUTH: While braces can definitely help you get that beautiful smile, they aren’t just for cosmetic improvement. Well aligned teeth can facilitate good oral hygiene making it easier to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, resolving certain orthodontic problems with the use of braces can improve your ability to speak, chew, and even breathe. 

Legend: Wearing braces will increase your chances of being struck by lightning? 
TRUTH: The chances of a person getting struck by lightning are the same, with or without braces. In the U.S. in any given year, the chance that you will be struck by lightning is 1 in 700,000 no matter what you are wearing. 

Legend: You don't need to visit your General Dentist when you are in braces treatment. 

TRUTH: Even if you are having regular orthodontic checkups, you should never skip your regular dental checkups. Having braces makes you more prone to plaque and tartar accumulation, so your dental cleanings are actually more important now. Regular dental checkups are the best way to ensure harmful buildup is removed from your mouth. 

Legend: If there was a giant magnet overhead, anyone who is wearing braces would get stuck to it. 

TRUTH: Braces are made of materials which are non-magnetic in nature. Therefore, getting stuck to a giant magnet is highly unlikely. And really...where is this giant magnet everyone is talking about anyway? We haven't seen it. Have you?

Image provided by HSOrtho

Point is...Orthodontic Urban Legends are just that...Legends. No matter what your friend's brother's cousin says.

Secrets Revealed – The Tooth Fairy Tells All

Spannhake Orthodontics

We are all familiar with what happens when a child loses a tooth. The child places the tooth under their pillow when they go to bed that night, and while they sleep, the Tooth Fairy comes to collect the tooth leaving money or a small gift in exchange. 

Have you ever wondered why the Tooth Fairy does this? What is her motivation? Why has she dedicated her life to the pursuit of good oral hygiene? 

Wonder no more…Spannhake Orthodontics asked the hard-hitting questions to uncover the truth. 

It was so long ago…the Tooth Fairy can’t remember exactly when, but she always knew that teeth where very important. “Teeth help you chew food, speak clearly, and they make you feel good about yourself”, says the Tooth Fairy. “When you take care of your teeth you are rewarded with a beautiful smile.” 

Beautiful smiles are contagious and smiling can improve your mood and the mood of people around you. If you have a smile you can be proud of, you’re more likely to show it off. “That’s why I do what I do. Getting from house to house isn’t easy, but this is a labor of love. If I can help just one more person show off their smile, than it’s all worth it.” 

That said, the Tooth Fairy wants to be very clear…she is only interested in teeth in pristine condition. Her message: Children should brush for two minutes twice a day and they should floss regularly. She also wants to stress the importance of eating healthy foods. The Tooth Fairy did admit to us that she does think candy, sodas and juices taste great, but she knows that these sugary foods can be harmful to your teeth and your orthodontic appliances, so she tries to steer clear of these tempting treats herself. 

Starting good oral hygiene habits when we’re young will only help us when we age. “If you don’t keep your teeth clean, plaque can build up along your gumline, creating an environment for additional bacteria to accumulate.” Left unchecked, these bacteria can lead to a more serious gum infection and may eventually cause irreparable damage to your jawbone and support structures, leading to tooth loss. 

Tooth Fairy Tips: 

• Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss regularly. 
• Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals. 
• Use dental products that contain fluoride. 
• Rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse (if instructed by your dentist).