Usually, the cause of crooked teeth is genetic, just like eye and hair color. Other causes may include early loss of baby teeth, severe facial injury, or poor childhood habits, such as tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, and even excessive pacifier use as an infant.
No matter the cause, crooked teeth can adversely affect your health in ways that might surprise you, such as gum disease, and self-esteem issues. Visit AH Smiles to explore your treatment options for crooked teeth.
Problems That Crooked Teeth Can Cause If Left Untreated
- Trouble Cleaning Teeth
- It can be a challenge to clean crooked teeth with a toothbrush or even dental floss as it is very difficult to get in the tough to reach spots caused by crooked teeth.
- Gum Disease
- Developing periodontal, or gum, the disease is common for a patient who suffers from crooked teeth. Gum disease develops when bacteria in our mouth forms into plaque. The problem accentuates when your gums don’t fit securely around your teeth, leaving more room for bacteria to grow.
- Halitosis
- As bad as crooked teeth look, they can smell even worse. Unless you’ve just eaten a garlic infused Italian dinner, bad breath is generally caused by another source, such as bacteria in the mouth, which can be difficult to treat from in between crooked teeth.
- Tooth Wear
- Crowded bottom teeth often cause one or more teeth to protrude, which can rub against your upper teeth. Over time, this can lead to unnecessary wear of tooth enamel.
- Difficulties Chewing / Eating
- Protruding upper and lower teeth may rub together in a way that prevents normal jaw alignment, making it difficult to chew and eat the foods you love.
- Damage To Self Esteem
- Having crooked teeth may reduce your confidence in your smile, thus reducing how much you show your smile; this can be damaging to your social life such as situations at work, and even dating. Everyone loves a person with confidence, and it begins with a straight smile for just about everyone.
Schedule An Appointment
If you have noticed any changes to your dental health, please contact our Arlington Heights, IL dental office today to learn more about how we can help. We offer personalized solutions to help address crooked teeth. To make an appointment at AH Smiles, call 847.230.9703 or schedule an appointment online.