Crooked teeth can occur due to a variety of reasons. Some reasons can affect your alignment before your permanent teeth erupt, and others happen later in life. For example, if your teeth are too small as a baby, it is possible for them to come in crooked. Additionally, prolonged use of a pacifier or baby bottle can influence the way your teeth develop. In fact, sucking your thumb or fingers can alter your teeth’s alignment. As a result, your adult teeth may come in crooked.
In addition, issues with nutrition, jaw size and alignment, and dental trauma can cause your teeth to become crooked. For example, if your jaw is too small or misaligned, your teeth may not have enough room to come in properly. Having a misaligned jaw will cause your teeth to develop in alternative positions. In addition, if you have poor nutrition, especially as a child, your teeth may not develop correctly. Your teeth need specific vitamins and minerals to grow; otherwise, they can become dysfunctional.
Not only do crooked teeth affect your confidence, but they can also impact your oral and overall health.
Digestion Issues
Your teeth need to come together where the flat surfaces touch each other. This is not only more comfortable, but it is also important for eating and digestion. When you eat, your teeth work together to chew and grind your foot.
If your teeth are crooked, it can affect your ability to chew your food efficiently. While we may never think of it if it’s not an issue, chewing is important for more than just easy swallowing. You need to chew your food enough so that you can absorb the nutrients. If your teeth make chewing difficult, you may not be able to grind your food enough. Over time, you can experience nutrition issues.
Poor Oral Health
Crooked teeth can impact your oral health. When your teeth are not aligned, it can be hard to remove plaque. It is vital to remove as much plaque as possible. Otherwise, you can develop serious dental problems. As plaque builds, it begins to erode your enamel and inflame your gum tissue. These are the beginning stages of tooth decay and gum disease.
Even if you brush and floss your teeth regularly, crooked teeth can impair your ability to get rid of plaque. It is possible to have a thorough and dedicated routine. However, it is more likely that you will have difficulty cleaning your teeth. For example, crooked teeth can make it nearly impossible to floss your teeth. Some patients have issues with their teeth cutting the floss before it can remove the plaque. Additionally, crooked teeth can make it hard to get the floss between their teeth at all.
Therefore, it is extremely important to talk to your dentist about your options. Straightening your teeth is not just about aesthetics. It is about keeping your teeth and your body healthy.