No matter how old you may be or how particular you are about your appearance, you may have considered crooked, misaligned teeth as one of the most unsightly problems you’ll ever run into.
Although it may not be as painful as impacted wisdom teeth or deep-seated cavities, having teeth fall out of line is a problem that’s inconvenient and packed with reasons for insecurities. If you have misaligned teeth, you may have grown accustomed to the practice of smiling with your mouth closed (or not smiling at all).
At Clear Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Semaan and his team of orthodontic professionals see many cases relating to dental misalignment every day. While each case varies in terms of severity, duration, and appropriate solutions, there’s one question that most patients end up asking:
“Are my habits causing my teeth to be crooked?”
If you’re currently dealing with misaligned teeth, then the chances are that you’ve been wondering why and whether or not your current habits have played a contributing role to the problem. To put an end to all speculation, we’ll get straight to the point and make it clear that some habits do cause crookedness.
If you are dealing with misaligned teeth and want to stop it in its tracks long before it becomes a problem, here are two habits we’ve highlighted that may be adding to your problems:
Technically defined as the act of grinding or clenching one’s teeth, bruxism is a dental habit that is primarily responsible for misaligned teeth in most of the patients who come to Clear Smiles Orthodontics for help.
Commonly experienced during sleep (also called “sleep bruxism”) or while awake, this habit often comes as an unintentional one because many patients only realise that they’ve been grinding their teeth after it’s pointed out. Apart from misalignment, however, this detrimental habit can also cause other oral problems, such as sensitive teeth, jaw pain, and pain in the ears.
(Fortunately, you can stop bruxism in its tracks with Invisalign clear aligners. With the Covid-19 Pandemic Australian’s have experienced a steady rise in reports of bruxism)
Apart from unintentional tooth grinding, another common cause for misaligned teeth is poor dental hygiene.
Did you know that small lapses in good oral hygiene like not brushing your teeth, failing to get a dental checkup, or failing to floss regularly can lead to misalignment? This is primarily because they can add up and cause your teeth to shift or fall out of place. If you don’t suffer from bruxism but fear that another habit is causing your teeth not to be where they should be, then you’re likely dealing with the effects of poor dental habits!
Dealing with crookedness in your teeth is never a pleasurable experience because of all the insecurities and discomfort it can bring. However, keep in mind that your problem can get even worse if you have habits that are contributing to it. By taking the time to watch out for the two common habits mentioned above, you can avoid damaging your teeth by preventing such problems from popping up or forming!
We’re staunch advocates of the belief that everyone deserves to have a perfect smile that they can be proud of. At the same time, having straight teeth is a two-way street that may require professional treatment. Get your foot in the door to a better smile and a more confident you by booking a free consultation with Dr Steven Semaan and his team of orthodontic professionals in the Gold Coast at Clear Smiles Orthodontics. Your local modern orthodontics practice on the Gold Coast
Suite 1, 2 Investigator Dr, Robina QLD 4226
Free Parking Available
P: (07) 5593 3733
E: admin@clearsmilesorthodontics.com.au
