What Causes Crooked Teeth?

Austin, TX – When you look in the mirror, do you see a smile that is crooked, crowded, or in some other way less than the picture perfect smiles we often see in magazines and on TV? You aren’t alone, but did you know there causes for these not quite perfect bites? At Pure Smiles Orthodontics, we want all of our patients to be fully educated on everything related to orthodontics, including common causes for malocclusions.

So, what are some common causes of malocclusions?

1. Genetics. Just like your genetic make-up decides the color of your eyes or hair, it may also determine if you may need orthodontic treatment. That’s right – your parents can pass on dental traits and jaw misalignment issues. Oftentimes, crowded or crooked teeth are an indication that your upper and/or lower dental arches are too narrow. If one of your parents experienced crowding, it is common for this trait to be passed down.
2. Bad habits. There are things that we do that can also lead to misaligned bites. Sucking on fingers, thumbs, or pacifiers for an extended time can lead to jaw and teeth issues. Additionally, mouth breathing and tongue thrusting can cause alignment issues. It may sound strange, but the way you breathe has an effect on your tooth and jaw development. Mouth breathing can work to pull the jaw inward, resulting in abnormal jaw growth that can lead to tooth misalignment. If you or your child have a tongue-thrusting habit, the upper and lower teeth will be pushed out, resulting in an open bite.
3. Illness or injury. If you suffer any facial trauma, teeth can be moved out of their natural positions. If you lose teeth or have your jaw shifted due to an illness or injury, your teeth can shift over time.
4. Poor timing. Your permanent teeth rely on your baby teeth – if you lose a baby tooth too early, it can alter the way your permanent teeth then erupt. It is important to take proper care of your baby teeth to ensure they remain healthy and fall out on their own time, in the ideal order so that the permanent teeth can hopefully then erupt in their ideal position.

The good news is, no matter what has caused your tooth misalignment or jaw discrepancy, Pure Smiles Orthodontics can help. We begin treating patients at the age of seven, but treat patients of all ages. And, we have a host of treatment options to choose from to help you achieve a healthy, properly functioning smile. To schedule a consultation, call 512-215-2520.