Have you always been envious of people with perfectly aligned teeth and the perfect Hollywood smile? Do you wish your smile could be perfect and your teeth align so well that your smile looks like those Hollywood celebrities we see on TV and the internet? Here is good news! Crooked teeth can now be fixed through orthodontic treatment.
However, before we delve into the treatment of crooked teeth, we need to understand what crooked teeth are, the things that cause crooked teeth, etc.
What Are Crooked Teeth?
Crooked teeth occur in a condition in which the teeth are misaligned. This might not pose a significant problem to the patient’s dental health; however, it affects the aesthetics of the patient’s smile.
A lot of patients that come to our Dentakay dental clinic to correct crooked teeth mainly do so to improve the aesthetics of their smile.
Causes Of Crooked Teeth
Several things may cause the teeth to grow in a crooked manner. Some of these include;
Genetics and Hereditary
The gene is a very strong component of the anatomy of the body. An individual’s genetic makeup determines a great deal about the person’s physical appearance. Therefore if one or both of your parents have crooked teeth, you are highly to have crooked teeth if you get that gene from them.
Bad dental care and hygiene
Poor dental care and hygiene are something that can affect the alignment of one’s teeth.
Not going for regular dental checkups and dental cleaning can cause dental issues like gum disease and cavities to arise. If they persist and remain untreated, they may cause several other dental problems, among which crooked teeth can be among.
Size of the jaw
The contemporary diet of soft, processed meals that many people consume requires less chewing than the ones eaten by our forefathers.
Our general jaw size has shrunk as a result of this alteration. Scientists believe that our developed, shorter jaw is to blame for crowded, crooked, and misplaced teeth.
Bad Myofunctional Habits
Myofunctional habits refer to repetitive behaviors that affect the function or the structure of the muscle of the face. These behaviors include;
- Abnormal use of bottles and pacifiers
- Sucking of the thumb
- Breathing through the mouth
- Tongue trusting
Misaligned Jaw
The points of your upper molars should fit into the grooves of your lower molars, and your higher teeth should slightly overlap your lower teeth. Malocclusion happens when this alignment doesn’t take place.
Both an overbite and an underbite are common misalignments. If you have an overbite, your top front teeth will stick out farther than your lower front teeth.
Your lower front teeth protrude further than your higher front teeth if you have an underbite. Malocclusion might happen as a result of poor myofunctional behaviors.
Face Trauma
A trauma or accident to the face can cause the teeth to misalign. The force of the accident can cause one or more teeth in the mouth to be knocked out of place.
Dangers Associated With Crooked Teeth
Although most people with crooked teeth are concerned with how it makes them look, the dangers of crooked teeth are way above aesthetics; they can cause some health issues in the long run.
Here are some dangers that may arise with having crooked teeth.
1. Difficulty in keeping the teeth clean
Flossing is difficult enough, but with crooked teeth, it’s even more difficult to get it between those narrow crevices. You may find it challenging to maintain good oral hygiene if the same is true of your toothbrush.
It is nearly impossible to get that crucial floss between crooked teeth when they are misaligned.
2. You are more susceptible to gum diseases.
Given how much harder it is to clean your teeth when you have crooked teeth, you are far more susceptible to getting gum disease. Plaque accumulation between teeth promotes the growth of dangerous microorganisms. Bacteria and plaque have more room to thrive when your teeth are crowded or crooked.
3. Difficulty in chewing
Many people have crooked teeth as a result of a misaligned jaw. The upper and lower teeth may protrude as a result, which makes chewing challenging since they rub against one another. If you can’t fully chew your meal, you risk choking or experiencing digestive problems.
4. Bad breath
Because crooked teeth are known to harbor bacteria, it’s no wonder that you may get bad breath. It might be difficult to remove all of the germs between your teeth, which causes your breath to smell unpleasant.
However, the best approach to prevent bad breath from happening is to address the problem. You can try to do this by using mouthwash and breath-refreshing products.
How To Treat Crooked Teeth
There are several ways by which crooked teeth can be realigned. Some of these are;
1. Metal braces
Fixed metal braces are fastened to the teeth with flexible wire, brackets, and bands. These braces might be a better option for those with more complicated dental alignment difficulties.
2. Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces and archwires are clear or tooth-colored, making them less noticeable than metal brackets.
The straightening technique is the same as with metal brackets, except that ceramic brackets discolor quickly and shatter.
3. Invisible braces
Unlike metal and ceramic braces, invisible braces cannot be easily seen once worn. These braces are made mainly for teenagers and adults.
The translucent plastic aligners are created to suit your mouth perfectly. They are removed and replaced twice a month and fit over each tooth like a mouth guard. This method is not advised for severe teeth alignment adjustment.
4. Straightening surgery
Another method for straightening teeth is surgery. They might allow you to wear braces for a shorter period of time.
A modest surgical operation to realign the bones and gums that support the retention of your teeth may be recommended by your orthodontist. You can also check this link for more treatment options for your crooked teeth https://dentakay.com/crooked-teeth/
Final Thoughts
A crooked tooth is a dental condition that not only affects the aesthetic of the teeth but, if left untreated, can lead to other dental issues.
The most obvious adverse effect of crooked or misaligned teeth is the unaesthetic look it gives a patient’s smile.
It is important to address it as early as it is detected to avoid other complications.
