You may think that your smile is fine…or fixed -- especially if you had braces as a kid. But then why does it seem like your teeth are still changing over the years? Perhaps one tooth is being crowded out. Maybe one is tilting forward more and more. The truth is, your teeth are always shifting, even as an adult.

One of the primary reasons is simply lifestyle habits. If you like to chew on the end of pens or are prone to grinding your teeth at night, the long-term pressure on your teeth can slowly cause them to shift. Another common cause is gum disease, which can weaken the bone that holds your teeth in place. What’s more, if you lose a tooth, the rest of the teeth in your mouth will likely shift in reaction to the empty space.

To prevent crowding or eliminate big gaps…or restore alignment and maintain space between teeth, ask your dentist about what kind of retainer he would recommend. That’s the smart move.