How Do Teeth Become Crooked?

Many people find themselves needing orthodontic treatment at some point in their lives, but what causes crooked teeth to begin with?

For some of us, it comes down to just bad luck in the genetics department.

Crooked teeth can be an inherited trait, the same as blue eyes or brown hair are. The most frequent cause of common orthodontic issues, such as overbites, underbites and crooked teeth is actually genetics. And unfortunately, that means you'll need to seek out orthodontic treatment sooner rather than later.

But there are other causes of crooked teeth, some of which can be prevented. They include:

• Losing baby teeth too early. The loss of baby teeth happens in a pattern, and if they don't fall out in the proper order or if they fall out too soon, permanent teeth can erupt in the wrong locations.
• Ill-fitting dental restorations can make teeth shift to undesirable locations, creating a bad bite.
• Gum disease is the number one cause for tooth loss in adults, and can cause teeth to shift, thereby creating alignment and bite problems.
• An injury to the mouth or a disease, such as a jaw tumor, can negatively affect tooth alignment.
• Some patients may have jaws that are simply too small for their teeth, or may have a discrepancy in jaw size that leads to misalignment of their bite.
• Extended pacifier use, thumbsucking and tongue thrust can create alignment problems and alter the shape of the mouth, leading to crooked and crowded teeth.

Crooked and misaligned bites aren't just unsightly, they can cause a host of problems, such as problems chewing and speaking. Because abnormal pressure is placed on the teeth, a poorly aligned bite can increase the risk of teeth breaking or chipping. Crooked teeth are also harder to keep clean, which increases a patient's risk of developing gum disease or decay and increases the need for dental work in the future.

Repairing crooked teeth and misaligned bites improves your oral health and can make you more confident. Whether you choose standard metal braces or a more discrete option, such as Invisalign clear aligner therapy, your smile can be corrected to improve your lifestyle.

If you think you or your child may have a misaligned bite, or don't like the look of your smile, schedule a consultation with an orthodontist. Your doctor will craft a treatment plan that will result in a beautifully healthy and ideally functioning smile that, with proper care, will last a lifetime.

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