How to Prevent Teeth From Shifting After a Tooth Extraction

By the time you agree to have a tooth pulled, there’s usually no other option. The tooth is so far gone that solutions like crowns and root canals are no longer on the table.

But what you might not realize is that even after the problem tooth is removed, its absence can continue to create havoc on your oral health.

The missing tooth leaves an unnatural gap in your mouth. To correct this opening, the rest of your teeth may gradually shift, changing the alignment of your bite. This move happens due to the force of attractions, which are the forces that adjacent teeth and their connecting structures emit. Because of the disruption in the natural attractions, the remaining teeth gravitate towards the new opening.

You’ve taken the hard step of having a tooth extracted. Is it possible to prevent more changes in your mouth by stopping the shifting of your teeth? 

We’ll take a bite out of that topic and feed you the knowledge you need to care for your post-extraction smile.

How to Prevent Teeth Shifting

Your dentist may have warned you that your teeth might shift and has suggested an implant. This standard solution replaces the natural balance of attractions but is also expensive, ranging between $3,000 and $7,000 per implant. Dental insurance plans sometimes cover a small portion of implants, leaving the patient with the rest of the financial responsibility. 

Because of the cost and complex procedures involved (read: often painful), not everyone opts for implants. Instead, they let their extraction heal, forget about it, and go about their lives… until they notice their teeth are shifting, and then it becomes an issue.

At this point, dental implants can still help, but the shifted teeth will require their own treatment plan to move them back into their straighter position.

To avoid this complicated side effect of tooth removal, use these tips after your extraction site heals:

• Consider dental bridges, which are cheaper than implants because they don’t require surgery. However, implants usually last a lifetime, whereas bridges last 7-15 years.

• Practicing good hygiene goes a long way toward keeping your remaining teeth healthy. Regular oral health routines strengthen enamel, periodontal ligaments, connective tissue, and cementum, keeping teeth securely in place.

• Regular cleanings from the hygienist and dental checkups also help to maximize your oral health. Your dentist can monitor your mouth for signs of teeth shifting and offer suggestions to prevent damage before it happens.

Importantly, if you’ve had orthodontic treatment and your orthodontist recommended you wear a retainer, follow their instructions. Err on the side of wearing it more than they suggest.

The retainer is designed to hold newly straightened teeth in their optimal place while the periodontal ligaments (which act like rubber bands that stretch and retract) adjust and tighten. 

Stopping retainer use too soon or not wearing it as directed might let those ligaments shift the teeth back into their old, comfy positions. This result is especially likely when you add a gap from an extracted tooth.

Why You Can’t Let Shifting Teeth Slide

Anyone who has had orthodontic treatment, whether braces, Invisalign, or something else, knows the time, discomfort, and expense of straightening their smile.

After all that work, you definitely don’t want your teeth to shift back into their old places just because you had a tooth removed!

More than aesthetics, though, letting those shifting teeth slide can be dangerous to your health. Let’s look at some of the gradual side effects of shifting teeth:

Misaligned Bite

The shift can cause a misalignment in your front teeth, leading to an improper bite. This improper connection between the upper and lower teeth can lead to excess wear and tear on the enamel, which brings a higher risk of cavities. 

The jaw muscles must work extra hard to connect the teeth to bite and chew, causing headaches, jaw discomfort, and problems with chewing. Eventually, the bite misalignment can become severe enough that you end up with painful temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) that reduce the quality of your life due to pain.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

You’ve already dealt with the fallout of a damaged tooth, but the effect of that extraction can inadvertently lead to another problem on the way! 

After a tooth is pulled, crooked teeth can trap food and debris between the enamel and under the gums. Even regular brushing and flossing might miss those tiny particles, and bacteria find them instead.

Flourishing bacteria causes plaque and tartar to build up on the enamel, eventually leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Both effects are dangerous to healthy teeth, potentially causing cavities requiring sealants or leading to jaw bone loss and loose teeth. Left untreated, you may need a root canal to save a tooth from another extraction.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding is a common problem in children and adults, affecting nearly 9% of the population at some point in their lives. Although it tends to decrease as we age, this condition, also called bruxism, increases after a tooth extraction.

There are two types of grinding: awake and sleep bruxism. Awake grinding tends to occur with stress and anxiety, but the bruxer usually catches on when they begin to feel discomfort and can stop their behaviors. Sleep bruxism is considered more dangerous because the bruxer is less likely to notice until the damage to the teeth, gums, and jaw is significant. 

Teeth extractions increase the risk of bruxing in sleep. The missing tooth shifts the position of the rest of the teeth, creating the uneven bite we discussed earlier. The uneven pressure distribution triggers the jaw muscles to work harder, causing them to adjust by clenching and grinding. 

TMJ Disorders

Your TMJ is the joint that connects your jawbone to your teeth. Short for temporomandibular joint, this delicate body part is responsible for moving your mouth any time you open or close it.

It rarely gets a break; when overused, it becomes inflamed or misaligned.

A displaced or swollen TMJ may be mildly annoying (you’ll probably notice clicking and popping when you move your mouth and maybe some discomfort) or severely painful. Bruxism increases the risk of TMJ problems, called temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs).

Facial Changes

Crooked teeth aren’t the only cause of self-esteem damage. Shifting smiles, which result from muscle atrophy or changes in the jawbone, can also affect facial symmetry. 

Just as the rest of your body's muscles can expand or shrink depending on use, so do your jaw muscles. The side effects of a tooth extraction, such as bruxism and bite misalignments, cause these muscles to overwork and enlarge (jaw hypertrophy), changing the shape of your face along the jawline. 

This condition is known as bruxism face. The results can impact your self-esteem, and the strain of the wear and tear on the jaw muscles is often painful.

Learn more: Bruxism and Its Impact on Facial Health

Are Your Teeth Shifting?

Your extraction is healed, and now you’re wondering if the residual symptoms you’re feeling are from shifting teeth.

With all of the potential complications associated with teeth movement, it’s easy to see why you’re concerned and want to catch the problem early!

The good news is that if you’re paying attention to your oral health, the symptoms of shifting teeth can be easy to spot. Here are some of the obvious and not-so-obvious signs to watch for if you think your teeth are not staying in place:

• You must think about where to place your teeth when biting or chewing.

• You’ve noticed unexplainable discomfort in your teeth or gums.

• You’re trying to wear your retainer or night guard, but it no longer fits.

• You see gaps or spaces between your teeth that weren’t there before.

• Certain sounds are more challenging to make when you’re talking.

• Your gums are receding (you may notice this if you think your teeth seem to appear longer than usual).

• Your jaw is popping/clicking, or it hurts when you move your mouth.

• Your ears hurt even though you haven’t been sick recently and don’t have any signs of an ear infection.

Timing matters. If any of these symptoms sound familiar and you think your teeth are shifting, talk to your dentist immediately to find out how to treat your unique situation.

Handling the Pain of Shifting Teeth

Preventing the attraction forces of your teeth from filling in the gap of your extraction is the best option. But sometimes, while you’re trying to minimize movement, you’ll still feel the pain in your teeth and gums.

This discomfort can be hard to ignore. Instead of letting it derail your day, try one or more of these natural pain relief solutions:

• Cold compresses against the affected area numb the nerves and reduce inflammation. 

• Eat soft foods to give your jaw muscles a chance to rest and avoid further damage to the chewing surfaces of your teeth.

• Gargle with salt water rinses. Saltwater is a natural antibacterial agent, so it helps pain by decreasing inflammation around the tooth. It can also cleanse the mouth by removing leftover debris between your teeth.

• Increase your dental hygiene routine. This will help you avoid further decay and remove bacteria and debris that cause inflammation around sensitive areas.

Whether you brux or not, you can also wear a night guard to prevent more damage to your teeth when sleeping. Clenching and grinding stress the jaw muscles, but the night guard prevents your upper and lower teeth from touching. The lack of connection stops the traction needed to grind and gives your jaw muscles the rest they need while asleep.

Keep in mind that the ideal night guard will comfortably fit your teeth. When a tooth is missing, it’s essential to use a professional, custom-made night guard, like those we have at JS Dental Lab. Ill-fitting guards can actually cause your teeth to shift more, resulting in the problem you’re trying to avoid!

Other Treatments For Shifting Teeth Pain

Sometimes, it isn’t enough to stop the pain with natural options. Over-the-counter pain medication, including NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can help. 

But in some cases, the pain won’t go away until you solve the reason behind it. If your extracted teeth are shifting no matter what you do, talk to your doctor or dentist. Certain issues, like cavities, gum disease, or TMDs, require professional help.

If you’ve had braces or Invisalign and your teeth have shifted, a short course of orthodontic care might be all that’s necessary to put them back in their straighter places once again.

Whether it’s a dentistry fix or something else, the sooner you receive the proper treatment for your situation, the faster your teeth will stop shifting!

Conclusion

Your mouth is designed to function in a specific way that includes everything from your molars to your wisdom teeth. When any of the pieces are changed, this can upset the delicate balance of forces, leading to unwanted movement in the surrounding teeth.

Aside from changes you can’t prevent, top-notch dental health is the best way to avoid shifting teeth from extraction. Strong oral hygiene and regular follow-ups with your dental professional are simple ways to keep the typical jaw pain and changing tooth alignment at bay after removing a tooth. 

But if it’s too late, follow the tips above to prevent further movement.

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