Let’s Talk About Crooked Teeth

While you might only see perfect, straight teeth in advertisements and on TV, the reality is that having crooked teeth is much more common. Crooked teeth can give our smiles individuality and may be someone’s favourite part of their smile. However, it’s also possible that teeth become so crooked as to impede the way we eat or talk, and if that’s the case, you may want to consider orthodontic dentistry to have them straightened and realigned.

We’ve spoken previously on the nature of orthodontic dentistry and what it can do for you, so today, we’re going to focus on the subject of crooked teeth as a whole. The more you understand about your teeth and why they are the way they are, the better you’ll be able to determine what (if anything) you’d like to change about them.

Why Do Teeth Become Crooked?

There are plenty of reasons why teeth might become crooked, but one of the most common reasons is just that you were born with them. Your genes determine how many teeth you have, how strong the enamel is, and how large your jaw is. When you lose your baby teeth and your adult teeth arrive, your genes have a strong influence on whether your teeth grow straight or crooked.

Of course, genetics isn’t the only reason for crooked teeth. Perhaps someone sucked their thumb as their adult teeth were coming in, or maybe you suffered an injury that knocked teeth out of place. If you’re in the habit of predominantly breathing through your mouth rather than through your nose, you’ve likely placed muscle pressures on parts of your skeleton that prevent them from growing to their maximum potential. If the habit began as a child, your teeth may have grown crooked.

Are Crooked Teeth Just an Aesthetic Problem?

The answer to this one is both yes and no, and if that sounds confusing, don’t worry – we’ll explain. For many people, crooked teeth don’t impede them from eating, speaking, and smiling as usual. If your teeth are still functioning as they should be, then an aesthetic preference may be the only reason you’d seek out orthodontic dentistry.

However, there are cases where crooked teeth can cause genuine problems to your health.

• If teeth are crooked, they can make it much harder to clean your teeth as recommended by your family dentist, which puts you at risk of oral diseases such as tooth decay and periodontal disease.
• If teeth are badly misaligned, they may impede your ability to eat or speak easily. When eating is painful or difficult, people are more likely to choose softer foods that are easier to chew, and these softer foods are usually much unhealthier than their crunchier alternatives. Over time, this can lead to malnutrition and an increased chance of tooth decay.
• Even if crooked teeth don’t cause any immediate problems, their alignment can mean that you put greater wear and stress on them than you otherwise would, which can increase the risks of cracking your teeth or painful symptoms like TMD.

Ways to Straighten Crooked Teeth

If crooked teeth are causing you pain or discomfort, there are plenty of orthodontic procedures that can help straighten or realign them properly. Orthodontic dentistry isn’t just for kids who need braces, either. From metal braces to clear aligners, there are plenty of ways to get your adult teeth straightened.

The way your family dentist will straighten your teeth is determined by your goals for your teeth (whether it’s to make them look better or to solve a specific problem with how they feel or function) and their professional assessment of your overall oral health.

Orthodontics at Your Barrie Family Dentist

The first step to a straighter smile comes from the decision to contact your family dentist in Barrie. At Dr. Elston Wong Dentistry, we provide restorative and orthodontic services for all members of your family. Before we recommend any specific treatment, we’ll first conduct an exam to determine the state of your overall oral health.

We’ll also listen to your concerns about your teeth, and what your goals for them are. It’s only through taking all of these factors into consideration that we’ll recommend a particular treatment for your teeth. After all, orthodontic dentistry isn’t just about your teeth – it’s also about how well they serve you every day and how they make you feel.

If you’d like more information about straightening crooked teeth at our family dentist office in Barrie, Ontario, give us a call at (705) 721-1143. You can also send us a message online.