Crooked Teeth Causes and Facts

Orthodontists may love crooked teeth, but not the rest of us! Crooked teeth can cause us to feel self-conscious and contribute to oral health problems including cavities and gum disease – now that’s NOT something to smile about! Dr. E wants to help you get your facts straight when it comes to crooked teeth. Read on to learn more about common causes and problems associated with crooked teeth and what (if anything) you need to do about fixing crooked teeth.

Crooked Teeth Causes:

What causes crooked teeth? Sometimes it’s simply our genes at play, but other controllable factors can cause crooked teeth, beginning in our formative years. Excessive thumb sucking pulls the teeth out of alignment early on. Similarly, babies and toddlers who hang onto their beloved bottle or “pacy” too long are at risk for crooked teeth. Even the rate at which we lose our baby teeth is a factor in developing crooked teeth. If we lose baby teeth too early, adult teeth may be more prone to shift into the gums rather than coming up at the proper time and in the right place. Other repetitive conscious or subconscious actions that involve pressing the tongue against the teeth can also cause them to gradually move out of alignment.

Should I Correct My Crooked Teeth?

You may be OK with living with an off-kilter smile. But there’s other concerns to be aware of if you have crooked teeth. Keeping crooked teeth clean becomes more of a challenge, as it may be harder to effectively clean between and around crowded or misaligned teeth. Crooked teeth can also interfere with proper chewing and place additional strain on the teeth and jaws.  This increases the risk of tooth breakage, tooth decay and gingivitis.

Remember, it’s never too early or too late to take action to fix crooked teeth. Perhaps tooth removal is all that is needed to align the teeth and restore oral health. If necessary, Dr. E refers patients to reputable local orthodontists for treatment of crooked teeth. Have you seen all of the options in orthodontics these days? From removable retainers to invisible braces, correcting crooked teeth has never been easier!

There’s no reason to let your self-esteem take a hit OR for you to put your oral health at risk over crooked teeth. If you’re concerned about crooked teeth – from a cosmetic or oral health perspective – be sure to speak to Dr. E. about your options. Chances are good that simple, corrective measures can help set your smile straight!