At Short Pump Dental in Henrico, VA, we want to help you achieve a straight and perfect smile. Crooked teeth are very common and can be the result of several factors. Fortunately, we offer several cosmetic dental treatments to help align your teeth to improve your appearance and bite. It's also important to practice proper dental care from a very early age. Crooked teeth can not only impact your self-esteem and confidence, but they can also affect your speech and your breathing. Short Pump Dental is here to help you every step of the way towards achieving optimal dental health and well-being.
Genetic Factors
Your crooked teeth may not be the result of anything you've done wrong, such as poor diet or brushing habits. Simply put, your genetics can influence the alignment of your teeth and jaw despite following the best oral hygiene practices. Having a small jaw with larger teeth can cause substantial crowding. With nowhere to go, teeth will shift as they grow in. Larger jaws with small teeth result in spaces that you may not be happy with. If one or both of your parents dealt with crooked teeth during their lifetime, this may also be something you encounter.
Sucking Your Thumb
When you were young, you may have had bad habits that have led to misaligned teeth. Sucking on your thumb or using a pacifier for prolonged periods can shift teeth out of place when they are developing. Tongue thrusting and mouth breathing are two other common habits that small children experience that can impact tooth alignment. Ideally, these habits should be broken by age 3 or 4 to prevent issues. Preventive dental exams should begin around one year of age and include:
- Examination
- Cleaning
- Education
- Preventive care
Poor Oral Health Habits
Teeth can shift when you're not practicing proper oral hygiene. Also, ignoring cavities and gum disease can lead to shifting. If you have a tooth extracted, the neighboring teeth may shift into that empty space. Other teeth may become crooked as a result.
The Growth of Your Jaw
The upper and lower jaws can grow at different rates, leading to teeth growing in crooked. There are many kinds of alignment issues that can occur from jaw problems, including overbites, underbites, and overcrowding. Keeping up with routine checkups throughout childhood can allow for prompt attention when crooked teeth are spotted.
Nutritional Considerations
There are key nutrients that help promote strong jaws and teeth. This includes vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium. If you don't eat healthy, especially when you're younger, this can negatively affect your teeth.
Cosmetic Dental Treatments for Alignment
Working with a trusted dental professional can help you avoid crooked teeth, even into your adulthood. If you're unhappy with the alignment of your teeth, there are cosmetic dentistry methods of straightening that can be used. This includes traditional braces, invisible aligners, retainers, and more. Allow our team here at Short Pump Dental in Henrico to help you with a smile makeover to boost your confidence. Contact us today to learn more or to set up an appointment for a consultation.