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Are Crooked Teeth Genetic?

Crooked teeth can lead to a variety of cosmetic and dental health issues, and it is therefore very beneficial to have crooked teeth corrected by cosmetic dental procedures in Edmonton. But why do some people have crooked teeth while others do not? As the Edmonton dentists at Westmount Dental Centre have seen, there are many different possible reasons for crooked teeth. Sometimes the causes are genetic, while other times crooked teeth can develop due to problematic habits. Crooked teeth can lead to a variety of cosmetic and dental health issues, and it is therefore very beneficial to have crooked teeth corrected by cosmetic dental procedures in Edmonton. But why do some people have crooked teeth while others do not? As the Edmonton dentists at Westmount Dental Centre have seen, there are many different possible reasons for crooked teeth. Sometimes the causes are genetic, while other times crooked teeth can develop due to problematic habits.

Possible Genetic Reasons for Crooked Teeth

One of the main reasons why teeth may grow in crooked is if you're genetically predisposed to have a small jaw. When a jaw is too small, the teeth simply won't have enough room to grow in straight. Other times, the reason for crooked teeth can come down to the genetics of the teeth themselves. Some people may be born with extra adult teeth while other may not have enough teeth. Both problems can cause alignment issues, as can teeth that are too large for even a normal-sized jaw. Some people may have crooked teeth as adults, even if their baby teeth were properly aligned, because they lost their baby teeth too early. When the space left by a baby tooth is empty for too long, the adult tooth can drift and fail to erupt in alignment with the rest of the teeth.

Habits Which May Cause Crooked Teeth

While often genetic, crooked teeth can also result from certain habits, or from a combination of genetics and bad habits. Habits which may cause crooked teeth usually start in childhood, such as thumb sucking. When a child sucks their thumb for a prolonged period of time, the teeth can actually end up getting pulled forward and out of proper alignment. Another common habit which can lead to crowded teeth in children is something known as tongue thrusting. Tongue thrusting is when the tongue protrudes between the teeth during speech, swallowing, and while the tongue is at rest. Over time, the force of the protruding tongue can cause the teeth to shift. A kid’s dentist in Edmonton can identify these and other habits, and offer you tips and pointers on how to help your child stop.


Do You Have Crooked Teeth? See a West Edmonton Family Dentist Today

Crooked teeth can not only cause people to feel self-conscious, but they can also make it more difficult to effectively remove plaque and food particles while brushing and flossing, increasing the chances of dental health problems. As crooked teeth in children can also lead to crooked adult teeth, it is best to see your Edmonton dentist if you're worried that your child's teeth are not growing in correctly.

West Edmonton Dental Clinic


At Westmount Dental Centre our Edmonton dentists can take a look at yours or your child's crooked teeth and offer the most effective treatments, such as one of our cosmetic dental procedures. You don't have to live with crooked teeth. Contact Westmount Dental Centre, your Edmonton family dentist, to secure the treatment that you or your child needs.


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