Your smile might strongly depend on factors that can be harder to spot, other than your age or the presence of wisdom teeth. Every day, some people notice their teeth are not straight, and it’s usually not what they imagined was the reason.
A review in the European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry found out that 56% of children and adolescents are affected by malocclusion around the globe. So, in many cases, crooked teeth are not caused by what we think; but people's ideas about them are mostly misleading.
We will explain why crooked teeth develop and discuss how to resolve their problems. If you ever felt shy about shifting teeth or noticed changes because of aging, this is where you will find accurate information and help restore your best smile.
Busting the Myths: What Doesn't Cause Crooked Teeth?
Let’s first correct your assumptions. Sharing bogus information and fearful ideas ruins facts found on the Internet. Therefore, let’s go over some of the biggest causes of crooked teeth and their myths.
Myth #1: Wisdom Teeth Are the Ultimate Smile Wreckers.
It is widely thought that once you get wisdom teeth, they affect and shift the position of your other teeth. Today’s research suggests wisdom teeth do not often cause crowding of the teeth. Still, having wisdom teeth taken out early does not stop some people from developing crooked teeth at a later stage. Wisdom teeth are not a major cause of shifting; instead, they tend to happen because of things inherited from your family or changes in your jaw.
Myth #2: You're "Too Old" to Fix Crooked Teeth.
Older people can succeed as well. People over 30, 40, 50, and older benefit from braces and Invisalign. Bone density and bite changes cause your teeth to move, which are common reasons, not your age.
Myth #3: A Little DIY Tooth-Straightening is Harmless.
Rubber bands and do-it-yourself retainers are some of the harmful trends that have appeared on social media. Doing this is always dangerous. If a dentist does not monitor you, you could permanently damage your roots, gums, or the place your teeth are aligned.
Myth #4: Baby Teeth Don't Matter in the Long Run.
Some parents think there’s no reason to worry about crooked baby teeth since they will eventually come out. Wrong. Having baby teeth helps keep rooms for the adult teeth in your mouth. Unexpected early loss or habitual teeth change can immediately become a factor in misalignment holding on for a longer period.
Myth #5: Only Braces Can Fix Crooked Teeth.
Even though many people use braces, there are other options available. Sometimes aligners, retainers, expanders, or even certain surgeries are needed, mainly depending on the cause of the misalignment. Having this belief can make people put off getting proper support.
The Real Deal: The Scientific Causes of Crooked Teeth
Now the confusion is clear, we can discuss what leads to crooked teeth. Evidence shows that these concepts are the reasons behind a well-aligned smile.
1. The Genetic Blueprint: It's All in the Family.
What mattered the most in these cases? Your genes. Smile features are like eye color or height, because they are influenced by genetics. Receiving your mother’s small jaw and your father’s big teeth from your genes could result in crooked teeth.
2. Habits That Shape Your Smile (For Better or Worse).
Jaw development in kids may be affected by thumb and tongue sucking, using pacifiers for too long, or poor swallowing. These habits, when young, may permanently change the shape of the mouth and teeth. Many times, parents overlook these habits as sources of crooked teeth in children.
3. How Lose Teeth Can Affect Your Smile and Your Teeth’s Growth.
Having a baby tooth fall out before its time because of decay or injury may allow the nearby teeth to move into space. Adult teeth can sometimes become crowded when there isn’t enough space for them. Many orthodontists consider misaligned bites to be the leading reason for crooked teeth.
4. Your Overall Health of the Teeth and Mouth.
Teeth may shift over time because of gum disease, bad oral hygiene, or even jaw pain. When gums swell and bones become weaker, pressure is put on the teeth. This type of damage may not seem important, but it plays a key role in causing crooked teeth as you grow older.
Beyond the Basics: Other Contributing Factors
Whether genetics or bad habits, we should not forget the other reasons for misaligned teeth.
Allergies and obstructions in the nose that make a person breathe through their mouth can harm the growth of children’s faces and jaws.
Body Trauma: If there is an accident to your face or mouth, it may make the teeth misaligned or damage the bones.
Believe it or not, improper spine alignment over time can slightly alter the jaw’s alignment and, as a result, the positioning of the teeth.
As such factors develop over the years, the reason behind crooked teeth may grow more complicated.
What Can You Do About Crooked Teeth?
The good thing to know if your smile is misaligned is that you can still fix it.
Start by booking an evaluation with a trusted dentist in McKinney TX. The doctor will determine whether your crooked teeth are easy to correct or are related to a more complex problem.
Here are steps that might be suggested for you to follow:
If you use braces or aligners, you’ll see great results.
To use retainers is important for upkeep or occasional minor adjustments.
Space maintainers are used on kids who lose a baby tooth before the permanent tooth appears.
Jaw expanders are used most in kids and teens with narrow arches.
When orthodontics aren’t working well, your dental specialist could recommend jaw surgery.
Preventing anyone from using drugs is very important. Taking care of little problems, for example helping kids break bad habits or treating early gum disease in adults, decreases the number of teeth drifting or becoming crowded in later stages of life.
And don’t overlook education. If you're fascinated by the inner workings of your smile, check out these facts about oral health you didn’t know they just might change how you care for your teeth!
Conclusion
Finding out why someone has crooked teeth involves myths and facts, but learning the truth is very helpful. Whether your crooked smile is due to DNA, habits, or something else, you can find assistance. Smiles that make you uncomfortable are not necessary if you visit a cosmetic dentist.
No smile is the same, and if you care for it, it can turn into your best trait.
Act today and move forward. Book a meeting with us at Valley Creek to learn how we can help you achieve a complete and strong smile.