Why Do Some People Have Crooked Teeth?
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There are several contributing factors that will cause a person to have misaligned teeth.
Unbeknownst to most, genetics play an important role in how our teeth come in.
If your parents have straight teeth, then there is a very good possibility that you will have them as well.
Most people are not so fortunate to have a naturally perfect smile. Our genetic information can also pass on dental problems such as overbites, underbites, and crowding teeth.
However, that does not mean that having straight teeth is not possible. A good number of the "perfect smiles" we see in movies and celebrities were crafted by talented orthodontists and prosthodontists.
What Can Cause Crooked Teeth?
Small and Misaligned Jaws
Having a small jaw will limit the amount of space that your teeth have to grow in. This will cause teeth to be crowded and in turn, be pushed out or become crooked.
The crowding can also cause your upper teeth or lower jaw to extend past one another. This is known as malocclusion.
Thumb Sucking, Tongue Thrusting, and Bottle Use
Habits developed in very early development often cause our teeth to grow crooked. Most children are affected negatively when these habits linger over the age of three.
Thumb sucking, bottle use, and tongue thrusting create pressure on our gums that can throw our teeth alignment off.
Poor Dental Care
Keeping up with your dental health is important to prevent periodontal diseases such as gingivitis.
Gum disease will cause your teeth and gums to slowly deteriorate. The receding gums and tooth decay will cause your teeth to shift out of place.
Premature Loss Of Baby Teeth
Sometimes a child can develop early tooth decay that will cause them to lose their first set of teeth too soon.
If this happens, our permanent teeth are subject to coming in at a bad angle. Loss of teeth due to a traumatic accident can have similar outcomes.
How Do Crooked Teeth Affect My Oral Health?
Some people are not really bothered by the cosmetic appearance of not having straight teeth but there are health problems that arise.
It is important to at least be aware of the negative effects of misaligned teeth.
- Chewing food can become much more difficult if your teeth are crooked and can cause you to have digestive problems.
- Cleaning your teeth also becomes more of a challenge increasing your chances of developing periodontal disease.
- Excessive wear or damage to your teeth can happen when the teeth are in a position that they push and grind on each other.
- The anxiety of social interactions is sometimes a result of having crooked teeth.
What Steps Should I Take To Have My Teeth Straightened?
Even though having crooked teeth does have adverse health effects, the decision to straighten your teeth is a personal one.
If you have decided that you want your teeth to be straight, considering orthodontic treatment is going to be your best option. Finding a reputable orthodontist is a great first step.
A talented, knowledgeable orthodontist like Dr. Kanaan can correct your teeth even without the use of surgery or extractions.
Every person’s case is going to be different, but you can rest assured that a great orthodontist will save you a lot of time and also money.
What Treatment Options Are Available To Straighten My Teeth?
In the past options for straightening teeth were very limited. As technology blossomed many different forms of orthodontic treatments started to become available.
Here are some of the options available today.
- Metal Braces - The standard braces used for years by many orthodontists. They consist of metal brackets, wires, and elastics to put the right amount of pressure on your teeth to get them straight.
- Incognito Braces - These braces also called lingual braces are developed to fit the inside of your teeth as opposed to being placed directly on the front of the teeth. They are made up of special brackets that fit the back of your teeth and a wire runs through the brackets held together by elastics.
- Invisalign - A more modern approach to ortho treatments that is virtually invisible and has become just as effective at making your teeth straight as traditional braces.
A consultation with a certified orthodontist is always the best way of knowing what treatments option best suits your individual case.
iSmile Specialists offers free consultations for new patients and our extraordinary doctor can help you get started on the road to giving you straight healthy teeth.