How Too Much or Too Little Space Can Affect Your Teeth - Charleston Orthodontics Powered By Smile Doctors (2023)

FAQs

Can an orthodontist mess up your teeth? ›

However, orthodontic treatment can also trigger some degree of root resorption in permanent teeth. This is because if the process happens too quickly, the teeth or bone may dissolve the roots rather than altering the bone to accommodate the moving tooth.

The following summarizes how the teeth should properly fit together: From the front of the mouth: the upper front teeth should fall slightly in front of the lower teeth. The upper teeth should overlap the lower teeth by approximately 2 mm. The upper and lower front teeth should lightly touch.

Teeth crowding can cause pain in several ways. First, it can lead to improper jaw alignment, leading to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ). Headaches characterize this disorder, jaw pain, clicking or popping of the jaw joint, and earache. It can also lead to facial pain and difficulty chewing or speaking.

Common Signs Of Crowded Teeth

Overlapping teeth. Difficulty chewing. Difficulty flossing between your teeth. Crooked teeth.

They can be caused by many factors, including genetics, thumb sucking, early or late loss of baby teeth, trauma to the gums or teeth, and dental disease. However, you should know that you don't have to live with these issues just because they're common.

When we naturally close our mouths, it's common for us to close our jaws completely, causing our top and bottom teeth to touch. However, this habit isn't ideal for oral health. In fact, it's recommended to have a relaxed jaw position with a slight gap between the teeth, known as a freeway space.

Diastema is the clinical term for a gap between teeth. While gaps can develop anywhere in your mouth, diastema is most common between your two front teeth (midline diastema). Gaps between your teeth may be small or large. Diastema usually doesn't have a negative impact on your oral health.

Crowding of the Teeth

Crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be twisted or displaced. Crowding occurs when there is disharmony in the tooth to jaw size relationship or when the teeth are larger than the available space.

Large gaps between teeth can cause bacterial growth and plaque build-up, leading to tooth decay or periodontal disease. Gaps can also cause trouble biting, chewing, or swallowing, and cause pain in your teeth or jaw. For these reasons, it's best to close gaps between your teeth.

A tight jaw can happen for many reasons, such as stress, temporomandibular joint disorders, grinding the teeth at night, and tetanus, also known as lockjaw. Tetanus is just one cause of stiffness in the jaw, but it can lead to severe complications.

Can your mouth be too small for your teeth? ›

Some people's mouths are too small, crowding the teeth and shifting them into crooked positions.

"Every decade over the age of 30," Deutsch says, "you show a millimeter less of your front teeth." Everything starts to sag a little, and the elasticity in the skin around the lips isn't what it used to be. So, as gravity pulls its weight, more of the bottom teeth show.

When you have malocclusion, your upper and lower teeth don't align when you close your mouth. Malocclusion typically happens when your teeth are crowded — meaning your teeth are too large for your mouth — or are crooked. But it can also happen if your upper and lower jaws aren't aligned.

Malocclusion means the teeth are not aligned properly. Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite). Malocclusion is the most common reason for referral to an orthodontist. Most malocclusion is mild enough not to require treatment.

Some of the most common problems with braces involve food. Food particles can get stuck under brackets and bands causing discomfort and even pain. You can dislodge pieces of food carefully with a toothpick, floss, or toothbrush.

If you notice some tooth movement after braces, the best thing to do is contact your orthodontist. It's usually completely normal for teeth to move slightly as your mouth settles down, but your orthodontist can advise if there's any further treatment you or your child might need.