5 Causes of Crooked Teeth

People don’t usually want to wear braces. And no one among us would choose to have crooked teeth! But what causes teeth to grow in where they shouldn’t? What makes them move around?

Dr. Farooq Ahmad of Vista, CA has five reasons teeth get pushed out of alignment to explain to you.

1. Oral Habits

Probably the most common way that kids get crooked teeth is from bad habits like thumb sucking. Kids perform their own orthodontia, in a way, when they have something pushing on their teeth that ought not to.
Thumb sucking puts pressure on the roof of the mouth. It can cause some of the upper teeth to splay outwards. A habit of pushing the tongue against the front teeth can have a similar effect.

Tooth Loss

Teeth rely on each other for support in their positions. In fact, teeth are constantly on the move. The only thing that stops them? The teeth in front of them! When a baby tooth falls out too soon or even when an adult tooth is lost, the gap left behind provides space for another tooth to tip into.

Losing teeth to cavities or gum disease could set your mouth on a domino-effect course of tooth movement!

Jaw Size

Genetics can play a part in how crowded or straight your teeth are. An under or overdeveloped jaw means that the teeth won’t fit in a uniform line.

Injury or Disease in the Jaw

If you’ve ever had an accident or bout with cancer that required jaw reconstruction, then it’s possible the injury could affect tooth alignment.

Ill-fitting Dentures

Yes, something as crazy and small as a dental restoration can affect tooth position! If you have a really large filling or badly positioned crown or bridge, that could be what’s putting uneven pressure on surrounding teeth.

Fix Crooked Teeth at Brackets Wires & Smiles

Whatever the reason for crooked teeth, our team will help you identify the cause, remove it, and get your smile back in line! Call us today to schedule an orthodontic consultation.