What Causes Teeth to Grow Crooked?
The most common cause for crooked teeth is genetics. One or both of your parents may have misaligned dentition and chances are, you will, too. Some people are born with a smaller mouth or jaw where there is not enough space for the full complement of teeth to take their places properly. Your lower and upper jaws are not identical in size, or may not have formed well during your time in the womb. This can result to an overbite or under bite which the particular crooked tooth causes.
And timing – the earlier than usual loss of baby teeth may trigger the early eruption of permanent teeth which might erupt crooked. This can also happen if you lose any permanent tooth earlier than expected and may cause drifting of other teeth or elongation of an opposing tooth. Using the pacifier after three years of age, thumb-sucking, or prolonged bottle use, may also lead to crooked teeth.
You can also cause your teeth to become crooked, factors that have nothing to do with genetics or malformations in the oral cavity. Gingivitis, improper fit of dental restorations, accidental injury or trauma to the jaw or face, and presence of mouth tumors can also lead to crooked teeth.
Crooked teeth pose many dental problems, apart from the fact that they jeopardize aesthetics and cause low self-esteem. You can get professional help from an orthodontist.
Professional Help for Crooked Teeth
Set an appointment with our orthodontist at Overlake Dental here in Bellevue. Dr. Yu can work wonders for crooked teeth in just as little as six months. It’s an affordable, teeth-straightening technology that is mild on the gums. See if this treatment is for you.