Teeth misalignment is a pretty widespread issue that many Americans face. Some individuals do not consider it a problem and instead believe it is due to the structure of their teeth. This, however, is not the case. Teeth misalignment, commonly known as malocclusion of teeth, is a real disorder. Malocclusion happens when your teeth do not line when you close your jaw. Crooked teeth, an underbite, or an overbite could cause this. Talk to a dentist in Burlingame, CA, today to learn more.
Causes of crooked or misaligned teeth
Baby teeth and permanent teeth can both be crooked or become crooked. Baby teeth might become crooked because they are too small to occupy the gum space allotted to them. Sucking on a thumb or pacifier for an extended period can also cause infant teeth to get pushed out or misaligned. Genetics and heredity may also have an effect. Crooked baby teeth do not guarantee that your child will have uneven permanent teeth. However, if the baby teeth grow crowded together, the permanent teeth may also be crowded.
If dental trauma or decay causes one or more baby teeth to fall out sooner than they would naturally, the permanent teeth that follow may grow out of the gums crooked rather than straight. Additional problems affecting infant teeth that can also impact permanent teeth are as follows:
- Jaw size
Many people’s modern diets of soft, processed meals require less chewing than what our forefathers ate. This alteration has impacted our collective jaw size, reducing it in size. Experts believe that crowded, crooked, and misaligned teeth are caused by our developed, shorter jaw.
- Poor myofunctional habits
Myofunctional habits are repeated activities that influence the muscles or functions of the face or mouth. Thumb sucking, pacifier or bottle use, tongue pushing, and mouth breathing are some examples.
- Misaligned jaw or malocclusion
The points of your upper molars should fit into the grooves of your lower molars, and your higher teeth should fit slightly over your lower teeth. Malocclusion occurs when this alignment does not occur. Overbite and underbite are two common misalignments. When you have an overbite, your top front teeth protrude more than your lower front teeth. Your lower front teeth protrude further than your higher front teeth if you have an underbite. A malocclusion might emerge as a result of poor myofunctional behaviors.
- Heredity or genetics
You will likely have crowded or crooked teeth if one or both of your parents did. Your parents may potentially pass on an underbite or overbite to you.
