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Why Aren’t Teeth Always Straight?

Live Life Smiling

why-crooked-teeth
  • Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics
  • August 24, 2022

 

THE BENEFITS OF having straight teeth are many. Studies indicate that people with straight teeth are seen as more successful, intelligent, and likely to get dates than people with crooked teeth. So what makes teeth grow in crooked so often?

The Soft Foods Theory and Crooked Teeth

According to the Soft Foods Theory, modern eating habits are a factor. By not eating the same tough, fibrous diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, we don’t stimulate as much jaw growth, giving our teeth less room to grow in straight. However, a hunter-gatherer diet will wear out the chewing surfaces much faster than a modern diet, so we don’t recommend it.

Crooked Teeth Genetics

Genes also play a role. Someone who gets Dad’s big teeth and Mom’s small jaws will probably end up with some crowding problems. The children of parents who had braces are also more likely to need braces as well.

Our Daily Habits Can Shift Our Teeth

Another big factor is daily habits, such as thumbsucking or pacifier use past age four, a tongue-thrust reflex, habitual mouth breathing, or even something as simple as frequently resting the jaw on the hand can have a cumulative impact on the position of the teeth, the shape of the dental arch, and the way teeth drift later in adulthood.

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Patient reviews

EVERY SMILE TELLS A SPECIAL STORY

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community with excellent care and take pride in our mission of having a patient-centered philosophy. Check out what our patients are saying about us!

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Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Kelsey M.
Great staff, very informative and friendly. This we love it here! My daughter Maeve is excited to finish her braces soon!
Sheri S.
I went to Holmes & Palmer, Huntington office for a consultation about my shifting adult teeth. The staff was professional and knowledgeable. They came up with a plan for me and got started on it right away. I was impressed by their modern equipment. No dental impressions were needed, thanks to their up-to-date cameras!
Sheri S.
I went to Holmes & Palmer, Huntington office for a consultation about my shifting adult teeth. The staff was professional and knowledgeable. They came up with a plan for me and got started on it right away. I was impressed by their modern equipment. No dental impressions were needed, thanks to their up-to-date cameras!
Jane E.
It isn't always easy to find providers that are especially patient and kind to patients with special needs. This group ALWAYS go out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. The staff is wonderful! We are extremely blessed to have the orthodontic care we need from this business.
Jane E.
It isn't always easy to find providers that are especially patient and kind to patients with special needs. This group ALWAYS go out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. The staff is wonderful! We are extremely blessed to have the orthodontic care we need from this business.
Legacy S.
Today at Drs Holmes and Palmer my Granddaughter ,Legacy Spurlock , had her braces put on.
I am so happy we Chose them. Not only was the Young lady, putting the braces on very nice That made Legacyy feel very comfortable and answered every question that she asked, and she asked a lot.
We are home now. She doesn’t need anything for pain, She is very proud of her Yes braces and her experience she had.
Thank you to every one that made her experience. One she will always remember.
Legacy S.
Today at Drs Holmes and Palmer my Granddaughter ,Legacy Spurlock , had her braces put on.
I am so happy we Chose them. Not only was the Young lady, putting the braces on very nice That made Legacyy feel very comfortable and answered every question that she asked, and she asked a lot.
We are home now. She doesn’t need anything for pain, She is very proud of her Yes braces and her experience she had.
Thank you to every one that made her experience. One she will always remember.
Staci A.
Very friendly and experienced. Awesome with kids! My son, Evan is 9 and was a little nervous for his first orthodontist consult appointment. They worked well showing and explaining everything they were getting ready to do. Even let him “help” some!! He has a follow up in 6 months to see if it’s time for his braces then. He’s not as worried about his next appointment now. Highly recommend!! Thank you!
Staci A.
Very friendly and experienced. Awesome with kids! My son, Evan is 9 and was a little nervous for his first orthodontist consult appointment. They worked well showing and explaining everything they were getting ready to do. Even let him “help” some!! He has a follow up in 6 months to see if it’s time for his braces then. He’s not as worried about his next appointment now. Highly recommend!! Thank you!
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