Crooked and misaligned teeth are very common. Many children and adults have them, and they can make them feel self-conscious and even lead to a reluctance to smile. Some people find teeth that aren’t perfectly aligned to be charming, but there are a lot of people who wish they could have straighter teeth. This is especially true if the teeth are causing health or speech issues. Keep reading to find out why teeth can come in crooked, some of the issues they cause, and what you can do about it.
Causes of Crooked Teeth
In most cases, teeth start to become misaligned when they are coming through. This can happen to babies and permanent teeth alike. Baby teeth will often come in crooked because they are too small to fill the space they are supposed to on the gum. Some habits like sucking the thumb or pacifier can also cause the teeth to come out crooked, as can genetics. One thing to note is that crooked baby teeth do not necessarily mean that the permanent teeth will be crooked as well. However, crowded teeth will more often than not lead to crooked permanent teeth that have to be corrected at some point in time. Lastly, the timing of the falling out of teeth can cause teeth to come out crooked. This happens when the baby teeth fall out earlier than expected, leaving a gap on the gums. The teeth that follow then come out slanted.
Other Factors that Cause Crooked Teeth in Adults
In addition to permanent teeth coming out crooked, there are other causes of crooked teeth in adults. One of these is jaw size. As our food has become softer, our jaw sizes have decreased. This decrease in size is thought to be the reason why many people today have crooked or misaligned teeth. Jaw size and jaw alignment can cause what is known as malocclusion. This is where the upper and lower teeth do not fit as they are supposed to. The grooves of the lower teeth should fit the points of the upper teeth when the teeth are aligned properly. If not, the misalignment can cause malocclusions which are characterized by under, over and crossbite. An overbite is where the upper front teeth protrude in front of the lower front teeth, and an underbite is the opposite. A crossbite is where the front upper teeth sit behind the lower back teeth.
Another major cause of crooked teeth in adults is facial injuries. A hard hit to the face or directly to the teeth can cause them to move out of position. In addition to causing crooked teeth, such trauma is also very painful and needs the intervention of a dentist to correct. Lastly, poor dental health can also cause crooked teeth. When the teeth are not taken care of and checked regularly by a dentist, issues like gum disease and cavities can go untreated, thus becoming bigger issues and causing misalignment. Keep your teeth healthy by checking out these traditional methods of cleaning teeth.
Should You Straighten Crooked Teeth?
Most people are self-conscious about how their teeth and consequently their smiles look. If you find that your teeth and smile cause self-esteem and self-confidence issues, it would be best to have your teeth straightened. However, doing so is ultimately a personal decision that should be discussed with an orthodontist beforehand.
What Options are Available?
There are two main options to choose from when it comes to teeth alignment: braces and aligners. Braces are the most common option for most people because they are cheap, easy to install and can correct most forms of teeth misalignment. The two main types of braces are metal and ceramic braces. Both involve brackets that are attached to the teeth and then held together with a wire. The wire pulls and pushes the teeth until they are in the right position. For this, you would have to visit the dentist regularly to have the wires adjusted. The difference between the two is that the brackets used in metal braces are made of different types of metals, while those in ceramic braces are made of clear or tooth-colored ceramic.
Aligners are made out of clear plastic, and they have been proven to be very effective at straightening crooked teeth. Clear braces are worn for about 20-23 hours a day, depending on the severity of the conditions. Because they are clear, they are also called invisible braces and are a great option for professionals who want discreet teeth straightening option.
Nowadays, it is now possible to straighten your teeth at home using clear braces from companies like Straight My Teeth. Straight My Teeth sends you an impressions kit, which you use to create an impression of your teeth. You then send this back and the dental experts will work on creating custom clear braces for you. Straight My Teeth also have Night Only clear aligners for those not comfortable wearing braces during the day.
Crooked teeth can affect your life and health in indifferent ways. Understanding the causes of crooked teeth in kids can help prevent them from coming in, and if it happens, you now know what to do to get straighter teeth or help a loved one do so.
Jessi is the creative mind behind The Coffee Mom, a popular blog that combines parenting advice, travel tips, and a love for all things Disney. As a trusted Disney influencer and passionate storyteller, Jessi’s authentic insights and relatable content resonate with readers worldwide.