Everyone wants to have a perfect smile that you see on models and people on television.

But if you take a close look at people around you, you will see that people have crooked teeth more than the perfect straight.

What exactly are crooked teeth and its types?

Crooked teeth are those which are simply not the perfect straight ones. The pediatric dentist or orthodontist classify it mainly into broad categories of crooked teeth. They are crossbites and Class II malocclusion. Cross-bites are mainly seen very common among the kids. Cross-bites can also be classified into two categories.

• Anterior cross-bite: This is most common due to thumb sucking where it results in the upper and the lower teeth are not meeting each other thereby leaving a gap. But the back teeth meet when bitten together.
• Posterior cross-bite: This is most common in mouth breathers and teeth are gapped with each other.

And the Class II malocclusion is when the lower teeth are set far behind the upper ones. It is seen commonly in the mouth breathers.

And the Class II malocclusion is when the lower teeth are set far behind the upper ones. It is seen commonly in the mouth breathers.

Reasons for crooked teeth:

• Genetical development: Genetics is one of the most common reasons for crooked teeth. It is mostly related to the size of our mouth. Smaller the mouth, greater is the chance of crooked teeth. The jaw development, the skull and the vertebral bone involves the cranial disbalance. And hence raises as a factor for crooked teeth. However, misaligned jaws are the center of the facial growth and also leads to issues of the crookedness of teeth.
• Imperfect habits: It is very commonly seen when breathed through mouth. The nasal breathing is mostly attached to the proper jaw and teeth development. The expansion of the maxilla and the upper jaw is by the normal breathing through the nose. But if we tend to breathe through the mouth and if it becomes a habit then the obstruction is created to increase the pressure in the airway of the nasal. At this point, it becomes utmost important to consult the doctor to have the breathing pattern corrected.
• Incorrect lip and tongue posture: Poor lip and tongue posture is also a common reason for crooked teeth. Ideally, the lips should rest on each other but when it does not, its high time we must consult the doctor.
• Oral behavior: Thumb sucking and usage of pacifiers should mostly be restricted to avoid the crooked teeth.

How to treat crooked teeth?

An orthodontist like Dr. Nizam would check the pattern of the teeth then she would recommend a solution with either braces or Invisalign. The treatment can be started at any age although there is a specific timing for the treatment duration. However, whenever you feel the first signs of crooked teeth, you should not make a delay in getting checked by a professional orthodontist.