If you are someone with crooked teeth, you might be wondering if you need to seek dental treatment to get them straightened. Though having crooked teeth is a “liveable” condition, from a professional dental standpoint, there are health concerns that people with crooked teeth need to consider.
What Causes Crooked Teeth?
Jaw Size
If you have a smaller mouth or jaw, your teeth have less room to grow straight. To make up for the lack of space, they might grow crooked or crowded.
Poor Myofunctional Habits
Thumb Sucking as a child affects teeth straightness, so if your parents were permissive of this habit when you were younger, it could be the reason you have crooked teeth. Pacifiers could have the same effect, especially if you used them into toddler years. Other habits that cause crooked teeth include:
- Breathing through the mouth
- Tongue thrusting/Reverse swallowing
Genetics and Heredity
Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of crooked teeth is genetics. You have no control over it at all! Many genetic conditions could cause crooked teeth, such as a crooked jaw, a small jaw size as discussed earlier, or a wide variety of other factors.
Poor Dental Care
Did you know that the treatment and health of your baby teeth directly impact your adult teeth? Your baby teeth guide your permanent teeth into place as they’re coming in. So, if your baby teeth are injured, or removed for other reasons, your permanent teeth will not have the correct blueprint to support them growing correctly.
If you’ve experienced a facial injury or any type of illness that caused you to lose teeth, your remaining teeth have probably shifted over time in an attempt to cover the gaps that were left. An injury or disease is often responsible for the most severe types of crooked teeth and requires the attention of a dental professional.
Why You Should Be Concerned About Crooked Teeth
Perhaps you’ve learned to smile with your lips closed and hide your crooked teeth whenever you can. Unfortunately, the concerns about crooked teeth go much deeper than looks. They can negatively impact your overall health and quality of life.
It’s Tough To Chew
If you have crooked teeth because of a misaligned jaw, your upper or lower teeth likely protrude when you chew. Protruded teeth rub together, making it difficult to properly chew your food, leading to choking hazards and digestion issues.
You’re More Prone to Gum Disease
Having crooked teeth makes it difficult to clean thoroughly between your teeth, which leads to gum disease. The long-term health effects are surprisingly severe and can include:
- Heart disease and heart attacks
- Diabetes
- Stroke
An Increased Risk of Broken Teeth
If your teeth are crooked, they’re experiencing excess strain, which lends itself to a higher risk of breakage. Broken teeth are painful and expensive to deal with.
Bad Breath is Common
Not only does difficulty in cleaning between your teeth lead to gum disease, but the inability to properly remove bacteria from your mouth can also result in bad breath. There’s only so much masking of bad breath that you can do with mouthwash and gum.
Crooked Teeth Wear Out Faster
Malaligned teeth can cause your enamel to wear down faster, which can cause abscessed teeth and cavities.
It’s More Difficult to Keep Your Teeth Clean
It’s not just the flossing you’ll have difficulty with. Brushing your teeth will be less effective since your toothbrush isn’t designed to navigate all the nooks and crannies common with crooked teeth.
What Are The Options For Straightening Your Teeth?
If you’re ready to take a stand for your health and straighten your teeth, there are several orthodontic treatments to consider that are effective at any age.
Metal Braces
Metal braces have been around for a long time, and that’s because they work. They sometimes act faster and are more cost-effective than ceramic braces.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a popular option for people ready to straighten their teeth as they are just as effective as metal braces but far less noticeable. They aren’t completely clear and are still visible, but they are much more subtle than metal braces.
Invisible Braces
For those who aren’t keen on making a statement with their braces, invisible braces are a perfect choice. Between invisible aligners, lingual braces, and ceramic braces (not technically invisible, but far less noticeable), there is an option for just about everyone. Invisible braces tend to offer less discomfort, more convenience, and give more confidence to those who choose them.
Summary
If you have crooked teeth, it is undoubtedly in your best interest to get your teeth straightened. The reasons go beyond the superficial; having straight teeth gives you a healthier, higher quality of life. At Dana Street Dental, we offer teeth straightening and dental implant solutions in the most caring and friendly environment.
