Can crooked teeth cause health problems for you and your children?

Not always, but a lot of times they can. Some of these dental health issues may surprise you, and some of them definitely cannot be ignored.

If you or your child has crooked teeth, don’t let potential dental health issues go unnoticed. Use this article as a valuable source of information.

Get ready to learn…

What causes crooked teeth?
How crooked teeth can affect your dental health?
What you can do to keep these dental problems from happening to you?

And, much more.

Now it’s time to explore what causes uneven teeth.

What Causes Crooked Teeth?

Are YOU causing your crooked teeth?

If you have habits like biting your nails or grinding your teeth, you might be causing your teeth to shift.

You can tell if your crooked teeth are habit-induced by comparing them to photos of you after all of your adult teeth came in, which is around 11-13 years old. If your 13-year-old smile looks straight, you may have caused your crooked teeth.

Similarly, children can develop crooked teeth from habits like…

Thumb sucking
Tongue thrusting
Using a pacifier excessively

And anyone can get crooked teeth as a result of an injury. Make sure your children wear mouthguards when they play their favorite sports.

On the other hand, crooked teeth may not be your fault at all.

Can you have genetically bad teeth?

The answer is yes!

Crooked teeth can be hereditary. And you can’t control your genetics. As a result, you need to know your family’s medical and dental history so you can take proper care of your teeth.

Now that you know what causes crooked teeth, let’s look at 8 unexpected dental health problems associated with crooked teeth.

8 Dental Health Risks of Crooked Teeth

#1) Crooked Teeth Can Cause Tooth Decay

Did you know crooked teeth can increase your likelihood of developing cavities and tooth decay?

Crooked teeth often cause crowding in the mouth, which makes it more challenging to brush your teeth effectively. It also limits your ability to floss in between those tight spaces.

As a result, there is a direct link between crooked teeth and tooth decay.

#2) Crooked Teeth May Cause Bad Breath

Since crooked teeth make brushing and flossing more challenging, it’s easier for food to get caught in between teeth. When you can’t remove stubborn food particles, they transform into bacterial buildup.

When food is literally rotting between your teeth, your breath is bound to smell bad. Bad breath could also be an indication of tooth decay or oral disease.

#3) Gum Disease And Crooked Teeth

Did you know crooked teeth can damage your gums?

Similar to the way crooked teeth can cause tooth decay, this dental health complication can also affect your gums. When your teeth are crooked, your gums are less secure around your teeth. As a result, they are more likely to develop bacterial buildup that can lead to oral problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can lead to a slew of other health problems, including bad breath, gum recession, mobile teeth, and even tooth loss!

#4) Crooked Teeth And Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD)

If you have TMJD or you know someone who has it, then you’re probably aware of how uncomfortable this jaw disorder can be. Jaw pain can extend from the area around the ear to the side and back of the entire head, radiating even into the neck sometimes. Although they are not directly correlated, a bad bite and improper fitting of the top and teeth not straight can lead to jaw pain, or TMJD.

#5) Headaches Due to Crooked Teeth

Can crooked teeth be causing your frequent migraines?

If your crooked teeth are misaligning your jaw, you are extremely susceptible to chronic headaches. These headaches are usually associated with TMJD, as described in #4 of this list. Pain can occur in the head, neck, and face. In severe cases, some people experience debilitating migraines.

#6) Teeth Damage

Because crooked teeth are often crammed together with little to no space between them, this causes the teeth to rub against each other, resulting in weakened tooth enamel. This diminishes the pearly white appearance of your teeth and puts you at a higher risk of tooth decay.

#7) Difficulty Chewing

A misaligned mouth can make chewing a chore. Crooked teeth can cause pain in your jaw while eating.

What’s more, uneven teeth can’t break down food the same way properly aligned teeth can. What does this mean? A couple of things: For one, an opportunity for plaque to develop into cavities and decay. Also, your food may not get chewed as efficiently which will make it harder for your digestive system to break down those foods.

#8) Low Self-Esteem

On top of all of the physical issues associated with crooked teeth, there are also mental and emotional obstacles that arise. Uneven teeth can take a toll on your self-confidence, making you embarrassed to smile. It is a proven fact that the more you smile, the happier you will feel. It’s science!

Don’t hold back from smiling. Ask your Pendleton Orthodontics family orthodontist what you can do to straighten your smile today.