Teeth That Shift During the Night Often Have a Reason
Posted on 3/30/2019 by Jared Pell, DDS
Do you sometimes wake up and go to put your teeth together, but the bite doesn't quite fit? If that happens, there is usually a reason. Going to sleep with teeth that fit together properly, but waking up with teeth that do not, often signals early signs of a problem. Here are some of the most common reasons that your teeth may shift around while you sleep.
What Causes Teeth to Move Around?
One of the most common causes of shifting teeth is gum disease. It causes your gums to swell up, which can push your teeth around. Plus, it can also cause inflammation below the gum line, leading to problems with the periodontal ligaments in your jaw. This can leave your teeth weak and mobile, when they should be nice and tight in your jaw.
Another reason that your teeth may move around is that you grind or you clench your teeth while sleeping. This is called bruxism. This is often done without the person's knowledge, which can make it difficult to diagnose. However, if it is something you do often, we will see signs of it during our regular visits.
Some people also lay down in a way that pushes their teeth out of alignment. If you sleep in a way where you put pressure on your teeth, then you need to try to sleep in a different position. The less you sleep that way, the less your teeth should move around.
If you notice that your teeth do not fit the same way each morning, then you need to let us know about this. We need to hear what is going on, so we can keep track of any symptoms that are going on during your exams. The more we know, the sooner we know to keep an eye out!
Do you sometimes wake up and go to put your teeth together, but the bite doesn't quite fit? If that happens, there is usually a reason. Going to sleep with teeth that fit together properly, but waking up with teeth that do not, often signals early signs of a problem. Here are some of the most common reasons that your teeth may shift around while you sleep.