Do you have crowded teeth? Having teeth that are not properly aligned is not only a cosmetic concern but also indicates that you need dental attention. If you have crowded teeth, it can lead to multiple issues and put your oral health in jeopardy. So, what causes crowded teeth? We will discuss it in this blog!
Crowded Teeth Symptoms
When your teeth start crowding, they tend to cause discomfort, and you are likely to experience symptoms. Here are some signs you may have crowded teeth:
- Overlapping teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Difficulty chewing
- Problems when flossing between your teeth.
- Jaw pain
- Gum disease
- Biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek when chewing
- Tooth decay
- Bad breath
If you notice the above-mentioned signs, it is best to consult your dentist for an examination. They will check if you have crowded teeth and proceed with adequate treatment.
What Causes Crowded Teeth?
You might be wondering what actually causes teeth crowding. The truth is, there is not one but many factors that can result in dental crowding. Genetics is among the primary causes of crowded teeth since small jaws run in many families. In addition, congenital disabilities such as cleft palate are also responsible for overcrowding. Below, you will find a list of factors that cause crowded teeth:
- Thumbsucking
- Elongated pacifier use
- Poor dental care
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Misaligned jaw
- Accidents
- Premature loss of teeth
- Tongue thrusting
- Airway obstruction, such as mouth breathing
- Cleft lip or palate
- Extra teeth
- Size of jaw and size of teeth
What Does it Mean to Have Dental Crowding?
The way the bottom row of your teeth fits with the upper arch and the positioning of teeth is called occlusion. Normal occlusion is when people have a perfect bite, which means that the bottom and top teeth properly fit in the grooves of their opposite teeth. Moreover, the upper teeth fit slightly over the lower arch in a normal bite.
When you have crowded teeth or malocclusion, you suffer from misalignment that can lead to overbite, underbite, or even overlapping of the teeth. There are generally three types of crowded teeth: mild, moderate, and severe. If your anterior teeth are rotated slightly, you will have mild crowding, and if two or three anterior teeth overlap, you may have moderate malocclusion. But when a majority of the teeth in the bottom and upper rows overlay each other, you might be dealing with severe crowding.
Associated Complications
With crowded teeth, you face aesthetic challenges as well as oral health issues. Dental crowding can alter your facial profile. Furthermore, you will find it hard to eat or even breathe in a comfortable manner. That’s not where it ends — people with crowded teeth can develop speech problems, including a lisp. They tend to bite their lips, tongue, and cheek more often as well.
You might have trouble keeping up with your dental hygiene and health due to crowding because brushing and flossing are not exactly the most convenient with malocclusion. As a result, you are more prone to developing cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
Closing Note
Many factors are responsible for crowded teeth, especially genetics. A lot of people have a small jaw or big teeth, which leaves insufficient space in the mouth for all teeth, so they start crowding. You should visit your dental expert if you think you have malocclusion!
Whole Health Dental Center has a team of experts who work with diligence and compassion to resolve your dental health concerns. Talk to us at (703) 385-6425 or pay us a visit at 7115 Leesburg Pike Suite 310, Falls Church, VA 22043.