What causes crooked teeth?

There are several reasons why some children’s teeth grow in crooked or overlapping. Some of the common reasons for crooked teeth include:

• Thumb-sucking
• Tongue thrusting or improper use of the tongue during speaking and swallowing
• Early loss of baby teeth, which causes teeth to drift and shift
• Prolonged use of a baby bottle or the use of a pacifier after the age of three
• Poor breathing airway caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils

There are also hereditary factors we get from our parents that determine how straight or crooked our teeth are. These include extra teeth, large teeth, missing teeth, wide spaces between teeth or even jaws that are too small to accommodate their erupting teeth.

It is important to recognize that having crooked teeth isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it can lead to serious health problems down the road as well. Crooked teeth can:

• Interfere with proper chewing, a problem you face at every meal that impacts your nutrition
• Make keeping your teeth clean more of a challenge, increasing the chance of developing cavities, tooth decay and gingivitis
• Strain the teeth, jaws and muscles, increasing the risk of breaking a tooth

In certain instances crooked or uneven teeth can cause difficulties with speech patterns, bone erosion, as well as help in digestion.

The good news is that multiple treatment modalities are available to correct crooked teeth and gain the many benefits of a straight, healthy smile. If you have questions about your treatment at our office, please give us a call or ask us during your next adjustment visit!