What Causes Crooked Teeth? Key Factors Explained

Crooked teeth are pretty common among both children as well as adults. While some people accept their misaligned teeth and wear them as a badge of their individuality, others feel insecure and shy away from photos, hiding their smiles behind their lips. If you’re facing the same issue and looking for the perfect treatment? We are here to help you. 

But before choosing the treatment option, it is important to understand the reason behind your crooked teeth. This guide explores the causes and explains the treatment methods available for you in New Zealand. When you reach the end of this article, you will have discovered the treatment option that blends in perfectly with your lifestyle.

What are Crooked Teeth?

Crooked teeth are a dental condition that refers to the misalignment of your smile. Due to multiple reasons, your teeth may twist, bend, or not be positioned properly within the mouth, contributing to a misalignment of the smile and leaving a bad impact on your personality.

Causes of Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth, also known as dental misalignment or malocclusion, can arise from a combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Addressing these causes is essential for effective prevention and treatment.​

Genetic Factors (Hereditary Influences)

The size and shape of your jaw, as well as the alignment of your teeth, are largely determined by genetics. If your parents had crooked teeth or specific bite issues like overbites or underbites, there's a higher chance that you might experience similar dental challenges. ​

Childhood Oral Habits

Certain childhood behaviors can significantly impact dental alignment:​

• Thumb-Sucking and Pacifier Use: Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use can push the teeth forward, leading to misalignment.
• Tongue Thrusting: This involves the tongue pushing against the teeth during swallowing, which can gradually cause misalignment of the front teeth.​
• Mouth Breathing: Breathing through the mouth, often due to nasal blockages or allergies, can alter jaw development and contribute to crooked teeth.​

Due to these childhood habits, teeth experience unnecessary pressure, leading to crowding, underbite, overbite, or other dental misalignments.

Early Loss of Baby Teeth

The incoming permanent teeth take guidance from the already present baby teeth when emerging, so that the permanent teeth follow the exact same pattern. Early loss of baby teeth can cause permanent teeth to drift into incorrect positions, leading to crowding or gaps. In such cases, space maintainers might be necessary to ensure proper alignment of emerging permanent teeth. ​

Nutrition & Dental Care

Lack of necessary nutrients weakens teeth and bones, which can lead to misaligned teeth. Furthermore, a diet high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) might lead to undeveloped jawbones, increasing the likelihood of crooked teeth. UPFs are frequently soft and require less chewing, which may not promote necessary jaw movement, resulting in dental asymmetry. ​

Facial Injuries

Accidents, sudden falls, or injuries to the face or jaw can dislocate teeth from their proper place. Even minor trauma can lead to misalignment. Also, they affect both function and appearance. ​

Aging and Natural Teeth Shifting

As we age, our bodies go through countless changes, and our teeth are no exception. Even if you had perfectly aligned teeth in your youth, you might notice them shifting over time due to factors like wear and tear, bone loss, and changes in the periodontal ligament.

Additional Contributing Factors

• Impacted Teeth: Teeth that don't fully emerge from the gums, like wisdom teeth, can exert pressure on adjacent teeth, causing them to shift.
• Jaw Tumors or Cysts: Growths in the jawbone in the form of tumors or cysts can displace teeth, leading to misalignment.​

Understanding these factors is important for early intervention and effective management of crooked teeth. Moreover, consult a professional, as they can provide customized strategies to address and prevent dental misalignment.

Why Fix Crooked Teeth?

Uneven teeth can influence your looks, confidence, lifestyle, and the way others perceive and treat you. Therefore, fixing them can boost your general well-being. Here's why addressing them is a wise decision:

• Straighter teeth can improve your way of talking & chewing.
• You can easily clean straight teeth, which will help you maintain better oral health.
• It can reduce your jaw pain & discomfort caused by misaligned teeth.
• Food particles are broken down properly if the teeth are in correct alignment. This also improves digestion.
• Perfectly aligned teeth help you smile confidently and reduce social anxiety.

Fixing them isn’t just about your looks; in fact, it’s about improving your quality of life!

How to Get Straight Teeth

If you’re worried about crooked front teeth or overall misalignment, several treatments can help achieve straight teeth. Have a look at the following table to know the treatment options available to fix crooked teeth.

Prevention Tips

• Discourage your child from thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing, and promote good oral habits.
• Make sure you eat food rich in nutrients like calcium, proteins, and vitamins, etc. for strong teeth & jaw development.
• Visit a dentist regularly for early detection of alignment issues.

Smilepath Clear Aligners: The Solution You Were Looking for!

We understand how frustrating it can be to live with crooked teeth, and it gets even more overwhelming when you're confused about which treatment option to choose. Set all your worries aside because we have got you covered! At Smilepath, we provide you with a cost-effective at-home solution for your crooked teeth. Our clear aligners are fabricated keeping in view your comfort and satisfaction. Whether you have misaligned, crooked, or crowded teeth, our experienced team helps you through the process to avoid any inconvenience during the treatment. Smilepath products are trusted by thousands of satisfied clients because they are comfortable, durable, and reliable.

What You Will Get

Order your clear aligners from Smilepath, and this is what you will get in the treatment plan:

• An impression kit for you to make precise impressions of your teeth, which will help us in crafting your customized clear aligners.
• 3D smile projection to show you what your smile will look like after the treatment.
• Retainers that will help you secure your hard-earned, perfectly aligned smile.
• Teeth whitening kit to ensure your teeth remain healthy and white throughout the treatment.
• Free accessories, including a cheek retractor.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps and start your smile journey.

• Take a free 30-second assessment to check your eligibility for the treatment.
• Receive an impression kit at your doorstep.
• Take your impressions by following the manual guide and send them back to the same shipping address.
• Our experts will create a 3D projection of your future smile.
• Receive your custom aligners and start your journey to a straighter smile!

Understanding Causes and Treatment Options for Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth are more common than you might think, and they come with a mix of causes, from genetics to aging, trauma, and childhood habits. While some people embrace their unique smiles, others may seek treatment options to fix them as early as possible. With the advancement in dentistry, many treatment options have been introduced, from traditional braces to clear aligners, making it easier than ever to find an option that suits your lifestyle and needs.

Whether you have crowded teeth, misaligned teeth, or crooked front teeth, Smilepath is here to provide you with an effective and discreet solution so that you attain a beautiful smile without getting noticed. Fix your dental misalignments at home in no time with Smilepath Clear Aligners . Don't let your dental imperfections hold you back; begin your journey to straighter teeth with Smilepath today!

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