Being born with perfectly-aligned teeth is next to impossible. All people have crooked teeth to a certain degree, but when teeth misalignment or crowding is severe, it does not only affect one’s self-confidence; it also puts a person at risk of a variety of dental problems. Crooked teeth, overbites or underbites are all things to take seriously.
Genetics is the number one cause of misaligned teeth. You inherit crooked teeth just like the color of your eyes, your skin tone, etc. If your relatives have healthy teeth alignment and you don’t, however, then other factors may be to blame. These include:
Bad oral habits. Prolonged thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, biting foreign objects like your nails and pencils can all lead to misaligned teeth. These are habits developed during childhood. To reduce the likelihood that they’ll have to spend for braces in the future, parents will need to watch their children for these habits.
Evolution. According to research cited in the Healthy Home Economist, processed or industrialized foods lack the essential nutrients needed to form sturdier and broader jaws, like fat soluble activators A, D, and K12 abundant in primitive diets. A smaller jaw does not provide enough room for all of your 32 adult teeth, resulting in crowding.
Missing teeth. When you lose a tooth, chewing pressure makes the adjacent teeth move into the gap. This can cause the teeth to the slope, or rotate and crowd as a new tooth grows into place. The new tooth will then be forced to grow and remain outside of its allotted space.
According to a Wilkes-Barre cosmetic dentist, crooked, crowded and bad bites do not only spoil one’s appearance; they also affect your overall dental health too. Gums become more open to bacterial invasion because the teeth do not fit together securely. Crowded teeth are highly prone to decay because of areas that are difficult to clean, and when bacteria form into plaque and enters the gums, bleeding and inflammation may occur. Bone and tissue deterioration occur in extreme cases which can spread to the neighboring teeth. Since the teeth are infested with bacteria, one also ends up developing bad breath.
Fortunately, straightening methods like Invisalign can correct misalignments. It uses transparent retainer-like aligners that don’t draw as much attention as metal braces. These braces are removable, which means you can still eat comfortably and practice regular oral hygiene. Invisalign braces must be worn for at least eight months, though this varies from patient to patient. Those who wish to try this innovation to achieve a better smile and oral health can approach Scranton, PA cosmetic dentistry facilities like Back Mountain Dental to give them a head start.
