Causes Of Crooked Or Uneven Teeth

Over 4 million Americans currently wear braces! For the most part, we know why orthodontic treatment is needed and how it works to correct the problems. What you may not know is why or how teeth become crooked and uneven in the first place!

There are quite a few reasons your child’s teeth may be crooked. The main reason is that our mouths are quite small in comparison to our teeth, which leads to the teeth becoming crowded. As the teeth shift to ensure they all fit, they twist or overlap, causing an uneven smile.

Below are just a few of the many other reasons for crooked teeth:

Causes of Crooked or Uneven Teeth

• Genetics – the most common cause of overbites (when the upper jaw protrudes), underbites (when the lower jaw protrudes) and uneven teeth is genetics.
• Gingivitis –gingivitis can put pressure on the gums and teeth, causing them to shift. Make sure to floss and brush your gums!
• Thumb sucking or pacifier use – if your child is sucking his or her thumb, or using a pacifier or bottle after the age of 3, it can lead to crooked teeth. Make sure to break them of any bad habits sooner rather than later.
• Loss of teeth – losing teeth or having teeth extracted can cause the remaining teeth to shift around the mouth, causing gaps or crooked teeth.
• Trauma to the face or jaw – any injury to the jaw or face can cause teeth to move out of place.

If you believe your child may need braces, please make sure to get an orthodontic evaluation. The earlier the intervention, the better the results! For more information, or to make an appointment at Little Rockies Pediatric Dentistry, please contact us at our Parker, CO office!