An Orthodontist Shares Some Common Causes of Crowded Teeth

Are you thinking of visiting an orthodontist to treat your smile? There are various problems that can hamper your appearance and make you feel embarrassed. If you have crowded teeth, you may want to know what is causing this issue. An orthodontic professional can help resolve any concerns you have and give you the information you need. Then you can decide on treatment knowing you have made the right decision.

How crowded teeth can affect a person’s health

Having a crowded mouth full of teeth can do more than making a smile unappealing. There are impacts on the person’s oral health as well. Crowded teeth are more difficult to brush and floss. As a result, gum disease and tooth decay can develop.

This condition can also put pressure on the jaw and joints in the jaw. The individual may also have headaches. Teeth can become worn-down as well. This can affect the person’s ability to chew.

Having a small jaw

Often, having crowded teeth is unavoidable for the patient. Genetics can play a role. A person may be born with a small jaw that will not be large enough to accommodate all the teeth that erupt. In this situation, the teeth that come in will overlap. They also may twist and become severely misaligned. An orthodontist may correct this problem.

Losing teeth too quickly

Teeth typically fall out on schedule, one by one by a certain age in the person’s life. If baby teeth fall out too soon, there may not be enough room for the permanent teeth that come in. When teeth fall out at the right time, the permanent teeth should come in their place shortly after. However, when a baby tooth falls out too soon before the permanent teeth are ready, the other baby teeth may start to drift to fill the spots. Then, by the time the permanent teeth start to erupt, there will be little space for them to come in.

Abnormally large teeth

An orthodontist may treat a person who has larger-than-normal teeth. The bigger teeth will not fit well into the jaw. This can cut down on the available space for all the teeth. In this situation, some teeth may grow in behind others.

Thumb-sucking

Sometimes, an orthodontist may treat crowded teeth over issues that began during the patient’s toddler years. Thumb-sucking is common among small children, and it can have adverse effects on oral health. Over time, the teeth may begin to move. This causes misalignments and twisting of the teeth. The effects can be not having enough space for other teeth to erupt.