In This Article
In This Article
Genetics can contribute to factors that may lead to bad teeth. However, there are other factors like environmental influences, diet, and dental hygiene that can contribute to crooked or misaligned teeth.
Genetic studies revealed that the genes we inherit from our parents are responsible for our jaw size, dental arch, and number of teeth. Fossil records show that humans developed crooked or misaligned teeth over time.
Anthropologists believe that our hunter-gatherer ancestors used to have nearly perfect teeth until diet changes caused the human jaw to shrink.
Back then our ancestors needed to chew through tough meats and uncooked vegetables. Now our foods are much softer and require less chewing, which may have contributed to malocclusions over time.
Can You Inherit Crooked Teeth?
If your parents have misaligned teeth, you’re more likely to have misaligned teeth, too. Other genetics-related factors that cause crooked teeth in children include:
However, while genetics cause crooked teeth, other factors also greatly influence teeth alignment. If you are genetically inclined to develop crooked teeth, you can improve your dental health through proper oral hygiene.
Aside from genetic factors, environmental factors can cause crooked teeth. Some habits and disorders can cause crowded teeth and underdeveloped jaws.
These include:
Breathing through your mouth puts your tongue in an abnormal position. If you fail to correct it, prolonged mouth breathing leads to an undeveloped upper and lower jaw.
This is because the tongue naturally rests against the roof of the mouth when breathing through your nose, which helps exert pressure to create an arch in the top of your mouth. Breathing through your mouth may make the roof of your mouth sit lower and affect how much space your teeth have to grow.
Similarly to mouth breathing, an open mouth posture places the tongue in an abnormal position. An open mouth posture will eventually cause teeth misalignment because of undeveloped jaws.
The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare says that pacifier use or thumb sucking in babies and young children is normal during the developmental stage. However, these habits should stop when the child turns three years old.
Prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking puts force on the teeth and jaws. It can affect the teeth or jaw growth, leading to crooked teeth.
A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition where a baby’s frenulum is too short or tight. The frenulum is the tissue that anchors the tongue’s underside to the mouth’s bottom.
Children born with tongue ties have very limited tongue movement, which forces their tongue to have an abnormal posture, narrowing the palate. This results in very little space for teeth to grow.
Untreated tongue ties can, later on, cause problems like:
Tongue thrusting happens when the lips push back and the tongue pushes forward. It is also called reverse swallowing because it usually happens when you swallow.
Tongue thrusting can cause dental problems in children. When kids lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth come in, the new teeth are sensitive to outside pressure.
The tongue is a strong muscle. When children consistently push their tongues against their front teeth, their teeth may shift. Over time, this can lead to an open bite.
Losing teeth can cause the remaining teeth to fill the vacant space. This can eventually result in crooked teeth.
If you lose a tooth, visit a dentist immediately. They can provide appropriate treatment and prevent misalignment
Trauma from physical violence, accidents, or injuries can lead to tooth loss. The forceful impact can alter jaw shape and cause teeth movement. In adults, injuries from contact sports are one of the most common causes of crooked teeth.
Some forms of oral cancer cause the formation of tumors. Tumors found in the mouth and jaw cause crooked teeth. The space occupied by a tumor forces the teeth to move, which leads to misalignment problems.
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Crooked teeth can make chewing hard and strain your jaw, increasing your likelihood of breaking a tooth. Additionally, crooked teeth are hard to clean, increasing your risk of developing dental caries.
There could also be enamel-related problems because protruding teeth rub against other teeth and wear down the enamel. A thinner enamel generally weakens the tooth, making you more prone to pain and other dental problems.
Furthermore, misaligned teeth increase the chance of bacteria hiding in gum pockets, which can cause gum disease. Studies say that untreated bacteria in the teeth or oral infection can go into the bloodstream, potentially causing life-threatening conditions such as stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.
Various dental treatments are available to correct crooked or misaligned teeth. Metal braces have been used for a long time.
However, most people nowadays opt for something less noticeable than the standard metal brackets. You can now opt for corrective devices like:
Aside from these, good oral hygiene is important for maintaining good oral health. Remember to floss and visit the dentist regularly. Talk to an orthodontist and discuss what will best work for you.
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