Crooked Teeth: Causes and Corrections

Types of Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can show up in various ways. Here are some common types:

• Overcrowding: This happens when there are too many teeth trying to fit into a small space in your mouth.
• Overbite: This is when your upper front teeth extend over your lower front teeth, making them stick out a bit more.
• Underbite: Your lower front teeth are positioned further forward than your upper teeth.
• Crossbite: This occurs when some of your upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth instead of above them.
• Open Bite: This is when your front teeth do not touch at all when your mouth is closed.

Crooked Teeth Causes

There are several reasons why teeth may grow crooked or become misaligned over time:

• Jaw size
  The modern diet of soft and processed foods that many people consume requires less chewing than the foods consumed by our earliest ancestors. This change has altered the size of our collective jaw, making it smaller. Scientists believe that our shorter, stronger jaws may be responsible for crowded, crooked, and misaligned teeth.
• Poor Nutrition
  Poor diet, particularly in children, may lead to cavities and poor dental growth, which may be precursors to crooked teeth.
• Poor dental care
  Failing to have your teeth checked by a dentist at least once a year can mean that some problems, such as gum disease and cavities, may go untreated. This can lead to crooked teeth and other oral health problems.
• Thumb sucking
  Children who suck their thumb for several years often end up with crooked teeth. The pressure of the thumb constantly applied to the ever-growing gums causes the teeth to become distorted, particularly outwards. The problem of crooked teeth is more likely if this habit continues until the child's age.
• Push tongue
  Pushing the tongue has the same effect on the teeth as thumb sucking. It can cause misaligned teeth, especially an overbite and protruding upper teeth.
• Misaligned teeth
  Misaligned teeth or malocclusion occur when the size of the upper or lower jaw is smaller than usual. Misaligned jaws cause problems such as overbite and underbite. In an overbite, the upper set of teeth protrudes over the lower teeth, and in a lower bite, the lower set protrudes over the upper teeth.
• Genetics
  Children often have crooked teeth from their parents. If the problem of crooked teeth runs in the family, it is likely that children also have crooked permanent teeth despite following good oral care habits.
• Facial injury
  Facial trauma, such as a childhood jaw injury, can cause displaced teeth or misaligned bites. The reason is that the jaw is slightly displaced from its original position, causing the teeth to become crooked. Facial injuries can also lead to tooth loss. When there is an open space in a jaw, the rest of the teeth shift to cover that space.

Crooked Teeth Symptoms

Crooked teeth, also known as malocclusion, can present various symptoms. Common signs include:

• Misaligned or overlapping teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Speech difficulties
• Frequent biting of the tongue or cheeks
• Jaw pain or discomfort

Crooked Teeth Problems

Crooked teeth are not just a cosmetic concern. They can lead to several oral health problems, such as:

• Difficulty brushing and flossing
• Chewing Issues
• Speech Difficulties
• Jaw Pain and TMJ Disorders
• Gum Disease

Effects of Crooked Teeth

The effects of crooked teeth go beyond oral health:

• Low Self-Confidence: Many people with crooked teeth feel self-conscious when smiling.
• Increased Wear and Tear: Uneven teeth can wear down faster, affecting their long-term durability.
• Bad Breath: Difficulty cleaning between crooked teeth may lead to persistent bad breath.

When to Visit a Doctor

You should consider seeing a dentist or orthodontist if you notice any of the following signs:

• Persistent Jaw Pain: Ongoing discomfort in the jaw may be a sign of misalignment.

• Difficulty Chewing or Biting: Trouble eating properly can indicate that your teeth aren't aligned.

• Speech Issues: If your speech is affected, crooked teeth may be a contributing factor.

• Frequent Biting of Tongue or Cheeks: This could mean your bite is misaligned.

• Visible Crookedness or Overlapping Teeth: Even if there's no pain, aesthetic concerns or potential future problems warrant a visit.

• Child's Teeth Growing Unevenly: Early intervention in children can prevent more serious issues later.

• Shifting or Loose Teeth: These could indicate gum disease or other underlying issues related to alignment.

Regular dental checkups are important, but if any of the above symptoms persist or worsen, it’s best to schedule a professional evaluation.

Diagnosis of Crooked Teeth

Your dentist can suggest that you see a specialist called an orthodontic surgeon. Your mouth, teeth and jaw will be examined and your bite evaluated. The orthodontist will probably take X-rays, photographs of your face, and impressions of your teeth to determine the effective treatments.

Special cephalometry or panoramic X-rays show the relationship of the teeth to the jaw and the jaw to the head. Your orthodontist will also want to take daily photographs of your face to further analyze the relationship between your teeth, jaws, and head. Finally, impressions of your teeth can be made. This is done by having you bite down on a material used to create an exact copy of your teeth.

Crooked Teeth Treatment

When a diagnosis has been made, the orthodontic surgeon will select the best treatment for your teeth or misaligned bite. For some people, a removable bracket to support the new tooth location may be all that is required to fix the problem. In very rare cases, it may be necessary to remove one or more teeth if crowding is the major problem.

The most effective methods for fixing crooked teeth are:

• Braces: Traditional metal braces are very effective for fixing serious tooth misalignments.
• Clear Aligners: Invisalign and similar treatments provide a less noticeable and comfortable option compared to metal braces.
• Retainers: These are usually used after braces to help keep teeth in their new positions.
• Veneers: A cosmetic solution that can fix minor crooked teeth or improve appearance.
• Tooth Extraction: In cases of severe overcrowding, a dentist may need to remove a tooth to create more space.

How to Fix Crooked Teeth at Home

Professional treatment is the most effective, but a few practices may support oral health and prevent worsening:

• Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing twice a day and flossing helps keep gums and teeth healthy.
• Avoiding Bad Habits: Discourage thumb sucking or chewing on hard objects.
• Orthodontic Monitoring: Use of aligners should only be done with professional advice.

Prevention of Crooked Teeth

Although the factors that have the greatest impact on whether teeth are crooked fall under the hereditary category, specific steps may be taken to prevent them from happening.

Some crooked teeth. For example, if you have a child whose baby teeth are losing and adult teeth are growing, making sure they do not suck their thumb can help prevent some misalignment of teeth. Some of the preventive care we can follow includes:

• Regular Dental Visits: Early diagnosis helps with the proper growth of teeth.
• Proper Oral Habits: It's a good idea to help kids stop thumb sucking and using pacifiers after they turn 2.
• Healthy Nutrition: Eating nutritious foods is important for strong jaws and healthy teeth.
• Mouthguards: Wearing mouthguards during sports can help protect teeth from getting hurt.

Crooked Teeth Before and After

Many people have successfully transformed their smiles through various treatments. The before and after results of correcting crooked teeth can be striking:

• Improved Alignment: Treatments can lead to a straighter, more harmonious smile.
• Enhanced Confidence: A corrected smile often boosts self-esteem and social interactions.
• Better Oral Health: Straight teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.