Crooked front teeth are cosmetically unappealing to most people, but it’s not just the look of crooked teeth that can cause a problem. Unfortunately, crooked teeth can attract even more unwanted discomforts that go beyond their looks.
Why Do We Have Crooked Teeth? - The Causes
Having straight or crooked teeth can be a lottery. There are a few reasons why the scales may be tipped in favour of crooked teeth.
Genetics
Crooked teeth are one of the things we can point at our parents for. If mum or dad has bucked, crooked teeth, or a small jaw, chances are high that these genes will be passed down to you.
Age
As we age, our teeth naturally move slightly. these changes may be related to slight narrowing of the dental arches or changes in the angles of the teeth as the jaws change in position during normal maturational changes. You may have noticed how your parents' jaw shapes and positions changed from their teenage and early adult stages to more mature adult stages. This can mean that teeth that were fairly straight, may become a little crooked or lean forward later in life.
Concerns of Crooked Teeth
It’s not just the aesthetics of crooked teeth to be concerned about.
Difficult to Clean
Crooked teeth can take a little extra effort to clean than perfectly straight teeth. When teeth cross or crowd each other, it’s easy for food to get caught between them. Brushing and flossing properly can take a little extra time and effort when teeth are crowded. Patience and extra vigilance when cleaning crooked teeth are essential, otherwise, you could risk a cavity or gum disease if plaque is left to build up over time. It is important to appreciate that even with crooked teeth, many people with excellent oral hygiene techniques are able to maintain their teeth in a healthy state.
Increased Wear and Tear
When teeth don’t line up correctly because they’re crooked, the risk of teeth rubbing against each other or even a chip increases. When teeth are constantly rubbing, there is uneven and often premature wear of the tooth enamel, which damages the teeth. This problem is made worse if you have a tooth-grinding habit or grind your teeth dues to sleep-disordered breathing.
Self-Esteem & Smiling
Poor front teeth can impact a person’s self-esteem, impacting other areas of their life on a regular basis. Some people with crooked teeth may feel overly conscious when they’re smiling in photos, and may also feel restrained in how they laugh or talk due to their crooked teeth. However, we understand that many people are unconcerned with their irregular teeth.
Damage to Teeth
Protruding and crooked teeth are at greater risk of injury but if this is going to happen, it usually happens before 10 years of age. Crooked or buck teeth protrude and can be chipped or knocked out. For a young child, the risk is significantly greater than for an adult with similarly protruded teeth. A simple fall can cause their buck teeth to be knocked out or damaged, to a detrimental point where the tooth may need to be root canal treated if the nerve dies, restored and even removed.
Solutions for Crooked Teeth
Orthodontic treatment is the only real long-term fix for crooked teeth. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to orthodontic treatments with appliances. If you’re looking for a discreet option, you can choose lingual braces which are worn on the inside rather than the outside of teeth and have other significant problems. Ceramic braces are much less noticeable than the traditional metal variety.
For an even more discreet option, clear aligners are also difficult to see unless you’re up close.
It’s important to know that your teeth will become crooked again after orthodontic treatment if you don’t follow best practices. The final stage of treatment is the most important for maintaining a perfect smile. You must wear a retainer as instructed by your orthodontist, as the retainer keeps your teeth in their desired position. Most people’s teeth “have memory” and tend to naturally return to their original position. Often the orthodontist will place a fixed wire retainer behind the teeth in addition to a removable retainer. If that position was crooked, then your teeth may return to being crooked if you don’t wear the retainer consistently or if the fixed retainer is bent or broken...
If you'd like to discuss your orthodontic treatment options for crooked teeth, don't hesitate to speak with one of our specialists by calling your nearest clinic or contacting us online.