What Causes Crooked Teeth? – 8 Possible Causes
8 Most Common Crooked Teeth Causes
Uneven teeth can have a number of causes including:
- Genetics
- Childhood Events
- Thumb Sucking
- Oral Injuries
- Mouth Breathing
- Tongue Thrusting
- Poor Diet
- Dental Hygiene
No one likes to hear it, but sometimes crooked teeth are inevitable. Jaw problems, teeth crowding, overbites, underbites, and palate shape can all be passed down through your genes.
Certain events in childhood, like losing your baby teeth at a young age, can cause uneven teeth shifts and crowding.
If you had a habit of sucking your thumb as a child, this may have affected the way your teeth grew and developed.
Oral injuries are one of the most obvious causes of crooked teeth. This is why it’s so important to wear a mouthguard during contact sports.
Mouth breathing is a common habit many people suffer from, and it can affect tooth alignment, especially during childhood.
Normally, when you swallow, your tongue rests against the roof of your mouth. Certain people press their tongues against the inside of their teeth instead. This is known as tongue thrusting, and this habit can cause your teeth to shift position over time.
Eating a varied diet rich in vitamins and minerals is crucial for supporting your bones, muscles, and ligaments. Among other health problems, eating a poor diet can lead to crooked teeth.
In severe cases, poor oral health can lead to periodontal disease, which can cause your teeth to loosen, shift, and even fall out.
How Do Orthodontists Fix Uneven Teeth?
Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that orthodontists can use to fix crooked teeth.
Braces
Braces are a common treatment that uses wires, brackets, and rubber bands to straighten your teeth. There are many types of braces available in modern orthodontics, including lingual braces, metal braces, and ceramic braces. This alignment option is most commonly recommended for adolescents, and it can take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years to complete.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a clear, removable alternative to traditional braces. These aligners are swapped out for new ones every few weeks to straighten your teeth over time.
Retainers
Retainers are commonly given to patients who have already undergone braces or Invisalign treatment. Retainers can also help make minor adjustments to misaligned teeth.
Palatal Expanders
A palatal expander is a tool used to counteract crowded teeth in children. This tool can be used to widen the arch of the upper teeth so their teeth can shift into the correct position.
Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation in Brooklyn, NY
If you’d like to learn more about your options for having your teeth aligned, turn to the experts at Brooklyn Orthodontics. We’re the best orthodontists in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the surrounding boroughs.
Call us today at (718) 333-5898 to schedule a consultation appointment!