There’s no set of “perfect teeth.” The traditionally beautiful chompers may be offputting to some people, while others can’t stand the idea of having crooked teeth. 
Teeth that are a little angled or misaligned can be endearing, characteristic qualities of a person’s smile. At the same time, when teeth go too far in the wrong direction, they can get in the way of chewing and talking, even upping the risk for things like gingivitis and gum disease.
We’re going to talk about the causes of crooked teeth in this article, followed by some options you can take to have them straightened or treat them if you want to. Keep reading to learn more.
The Causes of Crooked Teeth
Having crooked teeth isn’t something that’s all too unusual. Many people have teeth that are uniquely aligned, and there is usually no non-aesthetic reason to have them adjusted.
With that said, they’re your teeth and you can have them adjusted if you like. Feeling self-conscious about your smile can really get in the way of your confidence and relationships.
Additionally, it’s essential to have crooked teeth fixed if you’re experiencing any health issues as a result.
When children start growing teeth, we often find that their gums aren’t fully formed and the tooth grows in at an angle to fill the space.
There’s nothing wrong with this, and it doesn’t mean that the adult tooth will grow in the same way. If a tooth is knocked out or there is any gum disease that causes a child’s tooth to fall out early, the adult tooth could grow in an unusual way, however.
Adult teeth grow crooked for a number of reasons. If you have a small jaw, your teeth might not have the space they need to grow in normally. This will crowd teeth and push them against one another, causing many of them to be crooked.
Additionally, a person who is consistently sucking their thumb or using a pacifier for too long may develop crooked teeth. The same goes for poor or excessive brushing of teeth.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion occurs when a person’s jaw is misaligned. A healthy jaw allows a person’s upper teeth to rest gently in front of their lower set of teeth, with the molars resting comfortably upon one another in the back of the mouth.
A person who experiences overbite or underbite may also notice that their teeth grow in crooked as an adaptation to the position of their jaw.
Crooked teeth in general, as well as overbite and underbite, can all be inherited from a person’s parents. A lot of the factors that contribute to crooked teeth are hereditary.
Lack of Proper Dental Care
Regular dental work also helps to prevent crooked teeth. Getting things like cleanings and checkups can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, development, and ultimately crooked teeth.
Even though the dentist is a scary place for a lot of people, we have to go, and it’s never half as bad as it’s made out to be in our heads.
On the same note, nutrition also plays a large role in the development and alignment of teeth. Poor diet is a cause of unusual development of teeth as well as decay and cavities.
Finally, an injury or hit to one’s teeth can move teeth around and potentially knock them out of a person’s mouth. If you’ve experienced this sort of injury, it would be wise to speak with a dentist about how to treat it.
Issues Caused by Crooked Teeth
There are a lot of issues that can come as a result of having crooked teeth.
Teeth that are set straight are conducive to oral health and wellness. Our bodies operate best when teeth are in line. When teeth are crooked, things have to adjust and sometimes problems occur.
The first thing that stands out is that crooked teeth are harder to clean. Arrangement of the gums and crossing of the teeth can create some hard-to-clean spots that are hotbeds for plaque, tartar, and gum disease.
It may also be more difficult to chew, potentially leading to digestive problems later on. Unusual chewing can also lead to undue stress on our gums, teeth, jaw, and neck.
Treatments
A crooked tooth or two doesn’t necessarily need to be straightened. Consider what the character of your teeth means to you before you go ahead with the decision to have an aesthetic operation.
Once it’s adjusted, you won’t be able to revisit the old charm of your smile. On the other hand, a few teeth are nothing when you’re facing health problems.
Any health problems that exist as a result of your teeth should be addressed. Most of the time, the best option for straightening teeth is to get braces.
Braces are becoming more subtle. They typically cost somewhere in the ballpark of $5,000 to $10,000, and there are many options available.
You can go with traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual brace, or Invisalign.
Metal and ceramic braces are the ones that you typically see people wearing. Lingual braces are situated on the backside of your teeth and serve as an effective way to hide braces while straightening teeth.
Invisalign braces are a great option as they provide the most flexibility of all other options. Definitely take a long look into Invisalign vs braces that are more traditional.
Orthodontic Surgery
Surgery is a way to avoid wearing braces or lessen the amount of time you’re required to wear them. Additionally, surgery can address some of the underlying issues with gums and severe misalignment.
Malocclusion, if it’s severe enough, is sometimes adjusted with surgery as well, addressing the underlying issue of crooked teeth.
Want to Improve Your Health?
Addressing the problem of crooked teeth is very important if you’re seeing health problems as a result. The treatment options take a little time, but you’ll love the new smile you see and you’ll be free from those health concerns.
If you’re looking to make a change toward a healthier lifestyle, we’re here to support you. Explore our site for more information on how to move in the direction of good health.
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