Are Crooked Teeth Normal
Most patients do have crooked or misaligned teeth which can lead to other dental issues. Very few people have a naturally perfectly straight smile because of the way our adult teeth come in. Orthodontic treatment is a great way to straighten your teeth if you were unhappy with your smile or if your crooked teeth begin to cause other problems.
What causes teeth to become crooked?
In babies, teeth may become crooked due to prolonged habits such as thumbsucking or using a pacifier. If your baby does have crooked teeth, this does not necessarily mean that their permanent adult teeth will come in crooked as well. Other reasons took teeth may be crooked include:
- Genetics: Certain features such as an overbite or underbite may be inherited generation to generation. If one or both parents have crooked and crowded teeth, you may as well. The size of your jaw also has a great impact on the alignment of your teeth. If there is not enough room for teeth to come in straight, they may come in at an angle or rotated one way or another.
- Oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease which can have a negative impact on the alignment of your teeth. Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gum tissue around your teeth which can lead to gum recession and bone loss. As this happens, the bone holding the teeth in begins to deteriorate and the teeth can become loose and even fall out.
- Malocclusion: Malocclusion is a misaligned bite. When your bite is off, your teeth will hit against each other and can cause shifting and even fractures in the teeth. A good bite has upper teeth that close slightly over the lower teeth and the upper molars fit into the grooves of your lower molars. Both an overbite and an underbite are also considered malocclusion. An overbite is when your upper front teeth protrude too far over your lower front teeth. An underbite is when the lower front teeth jut out further than the upper front teeth.
- Injury: An accident or injury to the face or mouth can cause the teeth to become loose and rotate. If a tooth is knocked out, the surrounding teeth will try to fill the space and may become crooked in the process.
What dental issues may be caused by crooked teeth?
Periodontal disease is one of the more common problems that patients with overcrowded and crooked teeth have. Crooked teeth are significantly more difficult to properly clean than straight teeth so bacteria and plaque are left to build up in the gum pockets and can cause periodontal disease with gum recession and bone loss.
Gastrointestinal issues can also be a result of crooked teeth. Misaligned teeth may affect your ability to chew your food thoroughly and can cause pain when you eat.
Crooked teeth can also cause excessive wear on the teeth, gums, and jaw muscle which can result in chipped or cracked teeth. Patience may also experience speech difficulties, having trouble articulating words properly.
And of course there is also a possible issue with self-esteem. If a patient is unhappy with their smile, they may avoid social situations and feel less confident in their appearance.