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Straight teeth are essential for maintaining oral health and can help boost confidence. They look great and easier to clean and can help maintain optimal oral health. A correctly aligned smile can reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The chance of developing issues such as jaw pain and speech difficulties is also lower.
Properly aligned teeth can also improve bite function and enhance self-esteem by creating a confident, attractive smile. Investing in straight teeth benefits health and overall well-being.
A mix of genetics, habits, and environmental factors can cause crooked teeth. Like physical appearance, some people inherit narrow jaws or misaligned bites from their parents. This often leads to overcrowding or uneven spacing.
Thumb sucking and prolonged pacifier use can also affect tooth alignment. Losing baby teeth early or late can disrupt the correct musculoskeletal development of the jaw and facial structure. Mouth and jaw injuries can also contribute to misaligned teeth.
Like any dental or medical condition, ensuring you receive a professional assessment at the right time will ensure you can treat the condition before it worsens.
Genetics are considered to play the most significant role in the alignment of teeth and jaw structure. Parents with crooked teeth are likely to pass on the trait on to their children. This includes bite issues and overcrowding. While your genetics can’t be changed, early orthodontic assessment can help identify any hereditary factors early and plan the most appropriate orthodontic treatment.
Certain childhood behaviours can also affect the alignment of teeth and jaw development. Thumb-sucking, prolonged use of pacifiers, or excessive bottle-feeding can apply pressure on a child’s developing bite leading to issues such as overbite or open bite.
Tongue thrusting describes the childhood habit of pushing the tongue between the two dental arches while swallowing. Repeated many times daily, tongue thrusting can shift teeth from their natural positions negatively affecting tooth alignment and bite as the permanent teeth grow.
The correct development of a child’s jaw is crucial for the propoer alignment of teeth. If either the upper or lower jaw is too small or narrow, crowding or overlapping of teeth can occur. A larger-than-average jaw can lead to gaps between teeth. Uneven jaw growth can cause bite problems such as an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
These issues are often easily diagnosed as children grow. Early orthodontic assessment by your trusted orthodontist can identify concerns and recommend the most appropriate treatment options.
Accidents and injuries to the mouth and jaw can affect the alignment of teeth. Often, sports-related injuries will involve a sudden force or impact that can displace teeth. Missing teeth that aren’t replaced can cause the remaining teeth to shift from their positions. This movement then affects the alignment of teeth and the bite.
Habits that negatively affect bite can develop after an injury. The most common is favouring one side of the mouth while chewing. This can contribute to misalignment and uneven wear. Wearing protective gear like mouthguards during sports is an important step in preventing injuries that can lead to crooked teeth.
Orthodontic treatment plays an important role in correcting crooked teeth, improving bite alignment and overall dental health. Using treatments such as braces, clear aligners and other appliances, your orthodontist can gradually move teeth into their ideal positions. Orthodontic treatment can improve both the function and appearance of teeth.
Early treatment can be particularly effective, as it can guide proper jaw development and prevent issues from worsening. Orthodontic treatment isn’t limited to kids—adults can also benefit significantly from correcting crooked teeth. Beyond creating a beautiful smile, orthodontic care enhances oral health by making teeth easier to clean, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease, and improving overall bite function.
MP Orthodontics is an orthodontic practice based in Cheltenham, Melbourne. Working from the belief that orthodontic treatment is much more than working with teeth and creating smiles, treating orthodontists – Dr Martin Poon and Dr Geoff Hall – approach patients as people first. Their approach is to work together and plan and implement treatment that meets each individual’s needs. Drawing on 30 plus years experience of helping children gain confidence through tailored treatment, MP Orthodontics, is a truly unique orthodontic practice.
Book a consultation with MP Orthodontics to begin your orthodontic journey.
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Saturday & Sunday: Closed