Contrary to popular believe, teeth crowding is actually really common – especially in adults, but also in children. Here’s why it happens and what you can do to fix the problem.
What Is It?
It’s rare to find teeth that are perfectly aligned. But, poor fit and alignment can range from mild to very severe. Mild malocclusion doesn’t cause a medical or functional problem or even a cosmetic problem. But, a severe malocclusion can. In fact, it can make it difficult or impossible to eat, speak, or even function normally in everyday tasks due to the pain.
It can cause headaches, and more.
One problem that’s especially problem is crowding. It’s the most common type of malocclusion. In children, this is usually caused by permanent teeth coming in before all of the milk teeth have fallen out. And, this can prevent all of the new teeth from coming in properly or from erupting at all, which is called “impaction.”
Some mild types of malocclusion, that dentists at RockCenter Orthodontics often deal with, might improve on their own or with a little help from the dentist. Usually, these involve the size or position of the jawbone.
Without orthodontic treatment, the teeth have a tendency to drift forward to the front of the mouth or jaw. This might lead to crowded lower front teeth, especially the incisors.
But, don’t worry. A poor bite doesn’t usually cause tooth decay or periodontal disease or even temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
However, teeth that are properly aligned are much easier to clean.
What Causes It?
Malocclusions can be caused by any number of things. Usually, however, they’re caused by problems in the shape or size of the jaw or the teeth. For example, if your child has a small jaw, his or her teeth might grow into a space that’s way too small for the teeth. This will cause them to push against each other, and drift toward the front of the mouth.
Another common cause for malocclusions is genetics. People can inherit mismatched traits like jaw size or tooth size. There’s not much that can be done to prevent this after the fact. It can produce large, crowded teeth in a small jaw or even small teeth that drift out of place in a large jaw.
In some cases, an individual might inherit a trait that causes missing teeth or teeth that erupt in one another’s place. This is called “transposed teeth.
Bad oral habits can also cause problems with malocclusions. Oral habits that plan ongoing or chronic stress or pressure on the teeth might slowly move those teeth out of their original place. Finger sucking, for example, or pacifier use, might cause malocclusion.
Tooth loss can cause drifting if it’s not properly managed. While it’s normal for teeth to fall out, it’s not normal for teeth to grow in and crowd out other “baby teeth.”
But, this happens often in children. And, when it does, it can be the cause of malocclusion.
Finally, trauma, like an injury sustained while playing sports or during some other activity, can be the first cause of malocclusion.
What To Do
Usually, a trip to the dentist is in order. He or she can make an evaluation and then lay out a treatment plan for you or your child. Without an expert opinion, you’re going to be stuck with pain, discomfort, and possibly other long-term health problems.
Isobel O’Donnell is studying dentistry. She enjoys writing on the topics she is learning about, as a sort of study aid. Her articles appear on various health and lifestyle blogs.
