Can Crowded Teeth Get Worse?
Crowding teeth, also called dental crowding, can become a serious oral health concern. If you have teeth that are starting to shift, rotate, or overlap, or if you have had crowding teeth for years, talk with your dentist about the issues crowding teeth can cause and how you can alleviate the problem.
As you age, crowding teeth typically gets worse, and the problem can lead to additional issues. Crowded teeth are usually very difficult to clean, potentially causing tooth decay and gum disease. Over time, the decay can become severe enough to require tooth extraction. Treatment depends on your age and the specific crowding issue.
Crowding teeth, usually a hereditary condition, occurs at the following levels:
- Mild usually involves one tooth.
- Moderate is typically a few teeth.
- Severe crowding involves the majority of your teeth.
What are the Causes of Crowded Teeth?
Genetics plays a major role in the size of your jaw and the shape of your teeth. Typically, crowded teeth are caused by a smaller-than-normal jaw, larger-than-normal teeth, early loss of baby teeth, or dental injury. Or if your baby teeth remain in your mouth too long, they can hinder the proper eruption of permanent teeth, potentially causing teeth to erupt at improper angles or in overlapping positions.
What are the Health Risks?
Whatever the cause of your crowded teeth may be, the condition can lead to the following oral health issues if left untreated:
- Cavities/tooth decay/enamel erosion
- Gum disease/periodontitis
- Chronic bad breath
- Impacting of healthy teeth
- Jaw pain
- Issues with appearance/smile/speech
Even if you had orthodontic treatment in your early years, your teeth may have shifted later in your life.
What are the Best Treatment Options for Crowding Teeth?
Consult with your dentist for referral to an orthodontist, a specialist who can diagnose the severity of your crowding teeth issue. Braces, which are designed to adjust and straighten teeth over time through gradual pressure, are the best and most common treatment solution for most people.
The following types of braces have different advantages and drawbacks:
- Metal braces are the most common and efficient treatment option, but they are very noticeable and, for some people, uncomfortable at first.
- Ceramic braces are colored to blend with your natural teeth, but they can be less sturdy.
- Invisible braces are a good cosmetic option for some people, but they can take a little longer than traditional braces to straighten your teeth.
The type of braces to best meet your needs will depend on the severity of your teeth crowding, your budget, and personal preference. Depending on your case, additional devices such as expanders or retainers may be used to enhance results. Also, surgery to straighten teeth may be an option that requires less time.
Extraction is common when extra teeth must be removed, especially wisdom teeth. Extra teeth often put pressure on healthy teeth, causing them to shift into misalignment.
Reduce Your Risk with Early Diagnosis
Because crowding teeth can worsen over time and lead to significant oral health problems, early detection and treatment are extremely important. While damage may start as a small cavity, decay can progress to a point where a tooth is too damaged to save.