Is your smile feeling a bit cramped? Teeth crowding happens when there isn’t enough room in your mouth for all your teeth to align properly. Imagine trying to fit a dozen friends into a cosy room – it’s a tight squeeze!
When teeth are crowded, they can overlap, shift, or even push against one another, making it harder to maintain oral hygiene and achieve that perfect smile. But don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to clear the crowd and give your teeth the space they need to shine.
What is teeth crowding?
Teeth crowding is as simple as it sounds — it’s when your teeth are too crowded in your mouth. It happens when teeth grow slightly behind or in front of one another, causing misalignment and sometimes pain. Crowded teeth can cause speech problems, chewing issues, or jaw pain. From the lack of space, it can make it difficult to brush and floss which leads to more cavities between your teeth or gum disease.
In dentistry, ‘occlusion’ is the term for how your upper and lower teeth normally meet. But when teeth are crowded, it can cause ‘malocclusion,’ leading to issues like an overbite, underbite, or overlapping teeth. Teeth crowding can be measured by a dental professional. If the space between your upper and lower teeth is less than 3mm, then your teeth are considered crowded.
Are you curious to know what crowded teeth would look like? Sometimes you can tell just by taking a look in the mirror. Here’s an example:
What causes crowded teeth?
Crowded teeth don’t happen out of nowhere, it takes time for them to grow in at different angles. The most common cause of overcrowded teeth is genetics. If smaller jaws run in your family genes, there is a chance you may have crowded teeth because there is less space for your teeth to grow.
But that’s not all – some other causes could be:
- Congenital disabilities, like a cleft palate
- Jaw problems (tumours, dislocations, fractures, etc)
- Sucking thumb in childhood
- Inconsistent tooth shape
- Losing teeth too early or too late, which causes permanent teeth to not emerge properly
Carefully assess your teeth and analyse your situation to determine whether further steps are necessary. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms along with pain, we recommend visiting a dentist or doctor immediately.
How to fix crowded teeth
Some people live their entire lives without addressing crowded teeth, which isn’t necessarily a problem. If they don’t cause pain, you might not feel the need to make a change.
However if having crowded teeth is something you’d like to solve, there are a variety of solutions for treating them depending on if you have a mild, moderate, or severe case. Let’s dive into the options for fixing overcrowded teeth in adults and children:
- Veneers and Crowns – If the crowding is minor, veneers and crowns can help to reshape the current teeth and align them correctly.
- Lingual Braces – Installed on the back of your teeth, lingual braces are metal brackets that move your teeth in alignment with one another.
- Traditional Braces – Most common treatment for children, braces use brackets on the front of your teeth to move your teeth back in line with one another.
- Aligners – By applying pressure onto your teeth through various clear moulds, aligners slowly move your teeth into place over time with a discreet appearance.
- Retainers – They won’t straighten your teeth from the start, but retainers can be used to keep teeth that have already been moved in the same place.
To determine the best treatment for you and your situation, it’s important to consult with a dental professional.
Let us help straighten your smile
A straight smile can improve your confidence, and we understand the difference it makes. If crowded or crooked teeth are bothering you, it’s not something you have to live with forever. At Oakleigh Dental, we’re here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. It’s just one appointment away. Contact us to explore the treatment options available.
