5 Habits That Cause Crooked Teeth

Have you ever looked at someone and noticed that their smile is perfect just for the fact that their teeth are perfectly aligned? People with crooked teeth tend to compare their smiles to other people´s, and it´s ok. Who wouldn´t want a perfect smile, right?

The truth is, that having crooked teeth is actually more common than not having it, and as you may know, it´s totally fixable. But what is it that causes teeth to become crowded, twisted, or overlapped? Is it only about genetics or is it something else? 

What Causes Crooked Teeth?

As we said, genetics can be an important factor for crooked teeth, but there are a few habits that can contribute to an ongoing misalignment of the jaw and crowding of the teeth. These often seem harmless and are unconscious habits, and it´s the slow and constant pressure that causes teeth to shift their position without us even noticing after a long time.

The following list of unconscious habits might help you understand why teeth get crooked even if our parents had the best set of dentures.

• Bruxism. A condition in which people grind or clench their teeth, it´s a very common bad habit that many people aren’t aware that they have because many of them do it unconsciously, usually while they are asleep.
  Bruxism can be diagnosed and be treated through a combination of therapies, such as the use of a custom mouth guard while you are sleeping.

• Thumb-sucking. This habit is carried by many people from their childhood into their adolescent years and even into adulthood, although many people don´t want to admit they do it. While it may be a soothing means of coping with stress, it can also have big consequences on your smile. 

• Poor diet. Eating unhealthy foods can make your teeth weak since their not receiving the right amount of vitamins, which will eventually lead to tooth decay. Tooth loss can affect tooth alignment and the bite more quickly and dramatically than any other factor. 

• Bad oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth after every meal and using dental floss as a complement to get rid of food remains between the teeth will increase your chance to avoid gum disease and other dental problems in the future. Gum disease and tooth decay are the two leading causes of tooth loss among American adults.

• Sleeping on your stomach. Many dentists and orthodontists have suggested that when people sleep on their stomachs, they exert hours of force on their teeth and jaws that can contribute to misalignment of the jaw or teeth, regardless of their age. These suggestions have background studies made back in 1981 by Dr. Hal A. Huggins, who discovered dental toxicity due to mercury in amalgam and other materials.

• Slouching. This bad habit can contribute to malocclusion over time. Specifically, slouching forward to rest your chin in your hand can exert gentle pressure on your oral structures. It can also contribute to back pain, headaches, and jaw pain.

Sani Dental Group at Los Algodones, Mexico 

With two locations, more than 35 years of experience in dental services and tourism, Sani Dental Group is one of the largest most professional clinics in Mexico.
As a trustful clinic, we offer between 2 and 5-year warranty in all of the procedures performed by our dentists. So you’ll be able to go back home with the smile of your dreams, and without worrying about anything.

Give us a call to know more about our treatments, prices, and the additional services we offer to all of our patients. Our professional staff and a team of patient coordinators are waiting for you!