Have you ever wondered why people get crooked teeth? Perhaps you have one yourself or fear it happening to you. The thing is, there is no one single answer to the question. Crooked teeth are common in adults and children. Just as we have different teeth sizes and shapes, various reasons are responsible for crooked and misaligned teeth. Keep reading for the common causes of crooked teeth.
Genetics
The most predominant cause of crooked teeth is genetics. If one or both of your patients have crooked teeth, you most likely will. When you think about it, since it is natural to possess some qualities of both your parents, passing down crooked teeth makes sense. For example, a mixture of large and small teeth from both parents will result in crooked teeth.
Some other genetic dental conditions include underbites, overbites, crowded teeth, and poor palate or tooth development.
Childhood habits
The environment plays a crucial role in the formation of teeth. Unknown to many, how a child’s bones and teeth grow is a result of interaction with the environment. Poor myofunctional habits like thumb sucking, pacifier or bottle use, mouth breathing, and tongue thrusting can cause crooked teeth.
Facial injury
Any trauma or injury that knocks the teeth out of place is enough to cause crooked teeth. Like other types of dental trauma, crooked teeth can arise if a tooth is knocked out or dislodged due to the incident. The situation can be worse if you donât visit a dentist for treatments to prevent a case of teeth misalignment.
Malnutrition
Proper nutrition is vital to bone, muscle, and tissue development. When your body is malnourished, you will experience different health issues, including crooked teeth. This is especially true for children, as poor nutrition can lead to poor dental development and tooth decay. For example, the deficiency of calcium and vitamin D can cause a delay in the emergence of teeth from the gum and low bone mineral. Also, vitamin C deficiency can affect dentine formation, and Vitamin A deficiency can cause problems with the enamel and impair tooth formation.
Poor oral hygiene
Oral hygiene is the only thing between most people and various gum diseases. For example, bad hygiene practices lead to gingivitis, which develops into periodontitis, and can make your teeth fall out.
Note that oral hygiene is not restricted to brushing your mouth alone. Some of the habits that harm your teeth include:
- Grinding and clenching your teeth
- Misaligned jaw
- Malocclusion occurs when your upper molar does not fit into the grooves of the lower molars.
- Using your teeth as a tool
- Too much alcohol, beverage, and tobacco
- Chewing on ice and sweet
- Brushing too hard or using abrasive toothpaste
- Incorrect use of toothpicks
- Frequent snacking
- Avoiding the dentist
If you indulged in any of the habits above, it could well explain the reason for your crooked teeth.
What to do to crooked teeth?
Crooked teeth can affect how you chew, smile, and talk. As a result, some patients become self-conscious and wonât smile or avoid social gatherings altogether. In the worst case, crooked teeth can cause excessive wear and tear on the teeth, speech difficulties, chewing and digestion problems, and periodontal diseases if left untreated.
Regardless, the decision of whether to straighten your teeth or not is entirely up to you. If it doesnât affect your self-esteem or quality of life, you can leave it. In itself, crooked teeth can be unique. However, if you want to change your appearance, you can visit your orthodontist for treatment options.
How to treat crooked teeth
There are different ways to treat crooked teeth and restore any damage caused by the condition. Some of the popular ones include:
Braces
Braces are suitable for people of any age as long as their gums and teeth are strong enough to hold them. However, treatment can last up to three years, depending on the type of brace you and your orthodontist agree to use. The common types of braces include:
- Metal braces: your orthodontist will attach metal braces to your teeth using flexible wire, brackets, and bands. Although they are mostly used for complex cases of crooked teeth, the braces are comfortable and available in different colors for flexible selection.
- Ceramic braces: this type of brace doesnât stand out like metal braces since it is clear and tooth-colored. On the downside, it stains and breaks easily and costs more than metal braces.
- Invisible braces: an invisible brace is designed for adults and teenagers only. A good example is the Invisalign we offer at Sbenati Dentistry. Invisible braces are customized clear plastic aligners designed to fit the mouth. The braces fit over the tooth like a mouth guard and are also ideal for severe cases that require alignment correction.
- Lingual braces: a lingual brace is a type of invisible brace that attaches to the back side of the teeth. Unlike other popular types, lingual braces are hard to clean and expensive.
Dental crown
Another dental option you can consider for your crooked teeth is a dental crown. Dental crowns are like prosthetic caps worn on the teeth or an implant to restore the function and natural appearance of the teeth. After treating the cause of the misalignment, your prosthodontist will place the crown on top of your tooth structure to give it a fresh look.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are a thin layer of porcelain or ceramics placed over the tooth to disguise any imperfection. The veneers are like fingernails, except that they go over the tooth. As a result, they are used for concealing chips, cracks, uneven spacing, worn enamel, and tooth alignment.
Retainers
Your orthodontist can recommend a retainer if your teeth are crooked from overcrowding. Retainers are used to align teeth after wearing braces.
Crooked teeth are common in children, teens, and children. But you donât have to let it affect your health and confidence. At Sbenati Dentistry, we operate one of the largest dental offices in London, Ontario. We will help you get the smile you want thatâs worth a thousand likes.
Sources
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-orthodontics/what-causes-crooked-teeth#
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/crooked-teeth
https://www.goldenstatedentistry.com/blog/crooked-teeth-causes-risks-and-treatment
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-orthodontics/what-causes-crooked-teeth#
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/crooked-teeth#straightening-options
