Teeth crowding is a common problem people of all ages can experience. Knowing what causes crowded teeth can make it easier to understand why people often get braces to resolve the issue.
When people seek the best metal braces in Metairie to improve their smiles and bites, they turn to Maldonado Orthodontics. Our experienced orthodontic specialists regularly help patients with dental misalignments and overcrowded teeth. Here, we explain why people develop teeth crowding and how braces can resolve the issue.
What Causes Dental Crowding?
Having a healthy smile is important for your general well-being and self-esteem. Unfortunately, dental malposition can occur due to a lack of space or improper alignment, resulting in crooked teeth or teeth growing in unnatural positions.
Contributing factors to dental crowding include:
- Tooth Size:Â Big teeth take up lots of space.
- Jaw Size:Â A small jaw can’t always accommodate a full set of teeth.Â
- Extra Teeth:Â If you have more teeth than your mouth can handle, you could experience crowding.
- Missing Teeth:Â Teeth next to a large gap will shift toward the void, potentially resulting in overcrowding.
- Genetics:Â Sometimes people have a genetic predisposition to dental crowding.
Signs of Crowded Teeth
Knowing what causes crowded teeth isn’t the only thing you should pay attention to. Crowding teeth don’t look the same for everybody with this dental problem. If you have concerns about you or your children having crowded teeth, consider these warning signs:
- Jaw pain
- Discomfort or difficulty when biting something
- Visibly crooked teethÂ
- Teeth erupting from the gums at unnatural angles or locations
- Bleeding gums, especially after flossing
- Problems properly brushing and flossing your teeth
Unfortunately, some of the symptoms of crowded teeth are similar to other dental conditions. For instance, gums can also bleed due to gum disease. If you notice one or more of these warning signs, call your local orthodontist for a dental exam and treatment.
Common Dental Problems Due to Teeth Crowding
If you have crowded teeth, you might have concerns about your smile and physical appearance. Though those concerns are valid, dental crowding can impact more than your visual appeal and self-esteem.
One of the biggest complications with teeth crowding is the inability to clean and care for your teeth properly. Depending on the location of a crooked or extra tooth, it can be tricky to brush and floss effectively around that area. As a result, you could accumulate sticky plaque on your teeth, which can turn into hard tartar without professional dental cleanings.
Severe overcrowding will worsen dental hygiene enough to put you at risk for cavities, gum disease, and gum inflammation. Premature tooth enamel wear and tear, bite problems, and persistent jaw pain are other common problems of teeth overcrowding.
How Braces Can Fix Overcrowding Teeth
Knowing what causes crowded teeth can help you get the right treatment, which is braces for many people. Traditional metal braces are suitable for teens and adults with moderate to severe teeth crowding.
This orthodontic treatment involves bonding brackets on each tooth and connecting them to a metal arch that constantly applies pressure. The pressure gently shifts each tooth into more desirable positions. Invisible braces work like the traditional variety but use tooth-colored brackets for less visibility.
Invisible aligners are also effective at straightening crowded, crooked teeth. Unlike metal braces, this option uses a series of trays that you wear for about 22 hours a day. The trays will shift your teeth, yet you can remove them to eat, drink, and do your oral hygiene routine.
Get the Dental Help You Need From Maldonado Orthodontics
You’re not the only person wondering about what causes crowded teeth. Thankfully, we at Maldonado Orthodontics in Metairie, LA, specialize in different orthodontic treatments. We understand how braces affect speech, bite, and appearance, so our board-certified dental experts always strive to help patients make the best decisions regarding their orthodontic needs. Let us transform your smile. Contact Maldonado Orthodontics through our website or call today at (225) 869-3753 for a consultation.
