Health + Wellness: What Causes Crooked Teeth?

Crooked or misaligned teeth are actually very common in both children and adults, and if they are not causing you any serious issues with your dental health, then there may not be a need to correct them other than for cosmetic reasons. Both milk teeth and adult teeth can develop crooked or become more crooked over time. Sometimes, there’s not much that you can do about it. But why do some people have teeth that are naturally straighter than others? Here are some of the most common risk factors for crooked or misaligned teeth.

Genetics

Genetics can often determine whether or not somebody ends up with crooked or misaligned teeth. If one or both parents had or have teeth that are misaligned, overcrowded, or crooked, then there’s a higher risk that the child will also deal with the same issues.

Poor Dental Care

Poor dental care can also lead to teeth becoming crooked over time. This can also be a problem for people who have naturally straight teeth or people who have had their teeth previously straightened using braces or aligners. If you are considering getting braces fitted, a good orthodontist like the-oakwoodclinic.co.uk can provide advice on how to keep your teeth straight and in good health into the future. Failing to keep up with dental hygiene or visit your dentist for regular check-ups can lead to teeth misalignment occurring as a result of untreated gum disease or cavities.

Myofunctional Habits

Myofunctional habits are any repetitive behaviours that can have an impact on the muscles and functions of your mouth and face. Often, poor myofunctional habits in childhood can lead to teeth developing crooked or misaligned. These could include habits like mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or using a bottle or dummy for a prolonged period of time.

Jaw Misalignment

A misaligned jaw or malocclusion can cause teeth to develop out of alignment. The front top teeth are meant to fit slightly over the front bottom teeth, while your top and bottom molars are meant to fit together. When this doesn’t happen, a misaligned jaw can occur, leading to problems such as underbites and overbites, that often accompany misaligned teeth.

Jaw Size

Simple evolution can also provide an answer as to why crooked and misaligned teeth are very common today. These days, humans eat softer, processed foods that require much less chewing compared to the type of food that our ancestors eat, and evolution hasn’t quite caught up when it comes to our teeth. Over time, the changes to the human diet have led to our jaws becoming smaller, which some experts believe is a major cause of crooked, misaligned and crowded teeth as our jaws simply are not large enough to fit them all in. In many cases, people who get their teeth straightened with braces will need to have some teeth removed to get the desired results.

If your teeth aren’t perfectly straight, you’re not alone, as it’s a very common issue that can be caused by many potential reasons.