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There are different types of teeth misalignment and they are not all mutually exclusive. Here is our guide to the types of crooked teeth.
Teeth that aren’t perfectly aligned are unique to you and can add personality and charm to your smile. Crowded teeth or malocclusion are quite common, and those who grew up suffering from crowded teeth obviously don’t want their children to have to go through the same thing. The question is, can this condition be prevented? To answer that question, let’s take a look at what causes crowded teeth in the first place.
What causes crowded teeth?
There are plenty of reasons why our teeth are crooked, some of which are even preventable. It may be genetic, or they may be a result of the way that we live or care for our teeth. Here are some of the most common underlying causes for crooked teeth:
1. Losing baby teeth too early
If a child loses its baby teeth far before the adult teeth are completely ready to grow in, the adult teeth may drift in the gums and end up not growing properly into their spot.
2. Losing baby teeth too late
If a baby tooth is particularly stubborn and doesn’t want to fall out, the permanent tooth may erupt behind it, making a second row of teeth farther back than where it would otherwise be.
3. Childhood myofunctional habits
Thumb-sucking, mouth-breathing, tongue thrusting and prolonged pacifier or bottle use are common myofunctional habits of young children. These habits can lead to incorrect dental and facial development.
4. Small jaw
As we get older and grow, our teeth and jaw follow suit, but that process doesn’t always run completely smoothly. It’s quite common for people with crowded teeth to have a jaw that’s too small to fit all the adult teeth in a straight, neat line.
5. Facial injury
A car accident, a fall down the stairs, or an elbow to the face during a rugby game can knock teeth out of place, resulting in one or more crooked teeth. A hard hit to the face can also cause jaw misalignment.
6. Poor dental care
Untreated gum disease and cavities can lead to crooked teeth and other dental health problems, which in the end will make teeth more misaligned.
How to Treat Crowded Teeth?
The most common treatment for crowded teeth is metal braces as they can fix even severe misalignments. However, for those with only mild to moderate misalignment of their teeth, invisible braces are the best option as they are removable, and allow you to inconspicuously achieve a perfect smile. While there may be some initial discomfort, invisible braces won’t irritate your mouth tissues like metal braces do.
If you are not sure how severe your teeth misalignment is, you may take our assessment here and see if become invisible braces are the right treatment for you!
