Taking care of your teeth is simple enough. You are instructed to brush your teeth every after meal or at least twice a day, floss every night, maybe use a mouthwash, and, as much as possible, reduce your consumption of sugary treats. However, there are certain problems involving the teeth that cannot be prevented or remedied by practicing basic oral hygiene.
One common dental issue is crooked or misaligned teeth. This, of course, happens not because you failed to brush your teeth or floss a few times. Several factors not entirely in your control such as your jaw size, jaw alignment, facial injury, and poor functional habits like thumb sucking and mouth breathing may cause the problem. Poor dental care may surely contribute, but genetics and heredity may also be a major contributor.
Crooked teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue, but it can also lead to further problems in the future. It may interfere with eating and digestion or lead to speech difficulties. It also increases the risk of periodontal disease.
Moreover, it can affect a person’s appearance.
Can Teeth Be Straightened?
Crooked teeth can be corrected. The most common method is fixed metal braces which involve attaching brackets, bands, and flexible wire to the teeth. Sometimes, a headgear is necessary, but this is only worn at night.
For teenagers who may be conscious about their appearance, a popular alternative is invisible braces or Invisalign. The dentist only recommends it to people of a certain age and may not be applicable to all kinds of alignment issues. Those who have a more severe alignment problem may need another solution to straighten their teeth.
Crooked Does Not Mean Ugly
Having crooked teeth does not make a person ugly. In fact, in some cases, it can be charming.
Actor Kristen Dunst has one of the prettiest faces in Hollywood, and her teeth have been a topic of discussion far too often. Although her teeth are not bad, her snaggle incisors are certainly eye-catching. It does not make her less perfect in any way and it actually has become a feature that sets her apart from other pretty faces in the movie industry.
Supermodel Kate Moss has also described her own teeth as gangly, but everyone can agree that it gave her an edge rather than pull her down. She definitely found no need to fix her teeth considering that she is an icon of beauty during the ‘90s.
The Link Between Teeth and Appearance
However, teeth do have an impact on one’s appearance. More than the color, the face of your shape depends on your teeth.
Your teeth, together with your jaw, provide support for your cheeks and lips. If you have a misaligned bite, the appearance of your face can be significantly impacted.
An underbite, when your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth when you close your mouth, can give you a “bulldog” appearance. A protrusion, when the front teeth sit too far forward, can make the face longer and narrower.
An example of how teeth can impact the face is an old person who wears dentures. When they remove their dentures, their mouth collapses onto itself. The lower portion of their face becomes smaller. It makes them look older. The moment they pop their dentures back, their face looks more filled in, and they seem younger.
Correcting the alignment of your teeth can do wonders. For children, it means not getting teased or called names in school. It will boost their confidence and allow them to grow up with healthy self-esteem. Among adults, it can make the face look rounder, softer, and younger.
The health of your teeth and mouth are more important than its impact on your appearance. There is nothing wrong with a crooked tooth as long as it is not giving you a problem. However, if it is causing difficulties in speech and eating, it may be time to visit your dentist and talk about your options.
