Why do some people have crooked teeth and some don’t? It can be a mystery, but it doesn’t need to be. And genetics can undoubtedly play a role—but that’s only one potential cause of crooked teeth.
Crooked or misaligned teeth are common in children and adults, and many people have no issues with their crooked teeth. Yet, dental misalignment can often affect overall health, and that’s when it’s vital to correct it.
So, what causes crooked teeth? Do you always have to fix them? And what are the different ways to take care of this issue?
Causes of Crooked Teeth
1. Genetics
If your parents and grandparents had crooked teeth, it’s likely you do, too. Or if you inherited large teeth from your mother and a small jaw from your father, you can end up with teeth that don’t fit and become crooked.
2. Malocclusion
This happens when your upper and lower teeth don’t align when you close your mouth. It can be genetic, but can also happen for other reasons, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and tooth loss.
3. Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use
While thumb-sucking or pacifier use typically ends within a few months, some children keep it up far longer. And pressure from the thumb or pacifier on the gums can cause teeth to grow in crooked.
4. Tongue thrusting
This happens when the tongue hits against the front teeth or comes out between the front teeth when you swallow or talk. While this is most common in infants and children, it can continue into adulthood.
5. Mouth breathing
You may not have ever thought of this—after all, how much damage can air do? However, when children breathe through their mouths for long periods, it can cause tooth misalignment.
6. Early loss of primary (baby) teeth
At around age six, children will start losing their baby teeth. When a child loses a tooth earlier than this, it can cause other teeth to shift into the open space and new teeth to be crooked.
7. Poor dental hygiene
If children don’t practice good dental hygiene from the day they can hold a toothbrush, it can lead to gingivitis and, eventually, periodontitis. This severe form of gum disease affects the way teeth grow out.
8. Malnutrition
A balanced diet is vital for proper tooth and bone development. Poor nutrition can lead to crooked teeth because the body doesn’t have enough nutrients to help teeth grow properly.
9. Childhood facial injury
When a child has a severe injury to the face, this can cause the jaw to shift its position. It can also result in tooth loss. And both things can lead to teeth growing in crooked.
10. Poor or improper-fitting dental work
When you have a crown, bridge, or filling that doesn’t fit properly, it can harm your bite. This can cause pain and misaligned teeth.
11. Not replacing missing permanent teeth
As with baby teeth, losing a permanent tooth and not getting it replaced can leave a gap in the gum line. This gap will cause a shift in the other teeth, so replacing that missing tooth with an implant or bridge is vital.
12. Natural changes with age
When we age, our teeth naturally shift as our bite deepens. This can cause teeth to become crooked, even if you’ve never worn braces or Invisalign.
Problems from Misalignment of Teeth
Now that you know how many things can cause your teeth to go out of alignment, let’s dive into what can happen as a result:
Gum Disease: When your teeth are crowded or crooked, it’s hard to clean them properly. That can lead to plaque, tooth decay, and, eventually, gum disease.
Excessive Wear and Tear: Misaligned teeth can start to deteriorate. When that wear and tear becomes excessive, it can lead to TMJ (temporomandibular jaw disorder) and the pain and discomfort that go with it.
Chewing Difficulties: Crowded or crooked teeth can make chewing difficult and lead to digestive problems.
Difficulty Speaking: One of the most common effects of crooked teeth is speech difficulties, particularly problems pronouncing certain words.
Low Self-Esteem: Our smile is an important reflection of our personality. That’s why people with misaligned teeth may have more self-esteem issues.
How to Fix Crooked Teeth
So, do you always have to fix crooked teeth? The short answer is no. However, this needs a bit more explanation.
It may not be an issue if your child’s teeth aren’t straight. In fact, if your child has spaces between their baby teeth, this can be a good thing since the permanent teeth will take up more room once they come through. But if your child has crowded baby teeth, their permanent teeth will probably also be crowded.
Per the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. That’s because certain issues may be easier to correct if found early. So, if you have any questions at all about your child’s teeth and their potential misalignment, we highly recommend setting up an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Taylor, our board-certified orthodontist. He can recommend the correct treatment at the appropriate time and prevent any complications that could come up later.
We have a wide variety of treatment options for crooked teeth. These can include:
Braces
We offer many types of braces, so you can be sure to get the ones that are best for you.
- Traditional Braces: Traditional braces are a combination of wire, elastic bands, and plastic brackets that are fitted onto your teeth. Traditional metal brackets, made of stainless steel or titanium, are now much smaller and flatter, making them less noticeable and more comfortable.
- Gold Braces: Gold braces are a trendy and aesthetic option—like jewelry for your teeth! The brackets and the connecting wires are gold, adding an aesthetic flair to your smile. However, they function just like traditional braces.
- Clear Braces: Clear braces are much less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They offer a fantastic aesthetic alternative for patients seeking options other than traditional metal braces.
Invisalign
A fantastic alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign straightens your teeth without the look of metal braces. They are almost invisible, you can easily remove them for eating, and they won’t irritate the inside of your mouth like metal braces can. And yes, they really will straighten your teeth just as well as regular braces when administered by a trained orthodontist.
Dr. Taylor is an Elite Invisalign Provider with years of experience, so you will get the best possible treatment. We offer Invisalign for both adults and teens.
No matter whether you choose braces or Invisalign, we are here to help you achieve a beautiful smile!
Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below now for a FREE, no-obligation consultation!
We service McAllen and its surrounding areas.
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We are always happy to hear from you. If you have a question or would like a no-charge consultation, jet send us your information and one of our highly trained orthodontic staff will be in touch with you!
Many of you may be under the impression that Invisalign is the name of the company that gave us an alternative to the dreaded “metal mouth.” However, Invisalign is actually a product manufactured by Align Technology, Inc. They are a company that has set out to provide the dental and orthodontic industries with innovative products that began with Invisalign clear aligners, but now includes iTero Intraoral scanners and OrthoCAD digital services. These technologies have allowed dental professionals, all across the world, to achieve outstanding results with their patients. The first sentence of 
Like many individuals, you have decided to receive orthodontic treatment and improve your smile.