Is Having Crooked Teeth a Problem? That Depends on What's Causing It

So you've got crooked teeth. Perhaps you've had them since childhood and just never had braced. But do you ever wonder if that's a problem for your oral health?

A number of factors can affect the size and position of your teeth and jaws, and whether or not it's a problem depends on what has caused your teeth to become crooked.

Crooked teeth are often hereditary, or you could have had a habit in childhood (like sucking your thumb) that affected the pattern of your teeth. Similarly, if you have ever lost a permanent tooth, that could cause other teeth in your mouth to move or shift.

While having crooked teeth may not be a problem, they can be harder to clean, causing cavities and gum disease to develop. Depending on how crooked they are, you may need to be more careful than others at keeping your teeth clean and getting regular check-ups.

Crooked teeth that are misaligned, or don't line up the right way, can also affect your bite. That makes it harder to chew some foods and can cause teeth to wear down, muscle tension and pain.

And even if you don't have any of these issues, teeth that are crooked or stick out can make you unhappy with the way you look. If you're shy to smile or afraid to talk to new people because of your teeth, it could be affecting your overall health in more ways than one.

If any of this sounds like you, talk to your dentist about seeing an orthodontist to help fix those teeth.

Catherine Bradley is part of the team at Health Local, part of, Canada's newest online resource for health, nutrition and lifestyle information.