Crowding is not a static or permanent condition‚ so it is definitely possible that your crowding could get worse if nothing is done․ The extent of how crowding changes over time varies per person‚ but in most cases‚ the misalignment of your teeth can continue to get worse due to pressure‚ shifting‚ and general wear․
Crowded teeth can also be caused by normal tooth movement in your mouth․ Teeth are not firmly attached to the jaw; they are anchored by bone and other surrounding soft tissue‚ and can shift around in your mouth when under pressure over time․ Your teeth have grown into all their positions‚ but may still shift․ The lower front teeth are usually the first teeth to become crowded․ Your teeth become more crowded as you age․
Daily habits can also affect the way your teeth move and shift․ Chewing‚ teeth grinding‚ or clenching your teeth can apply repeated pressure to a specific part of your mouth․ The force may also force the tooth further from its position‚ or in cases of crowding‚ force it more crowded behind an adjacent tooth or rotated against the adjacent tooth․
Another contributing factor may be the natural aging process․ As you age‚ some minor changes may occur in the bone of the jaw and the surrounding tissue‚ resulting in less space for your teeth and crowding․ Even if your teeth were fairly straight when you were young‚ mild crowding might develop or worsen as a result of this․
Factors affecting the health of the gums may affect the progression of crowding‚ as gum disease or periodontal disease can affect bone surrounding the teeth․ As periodontal disease progresses without treatment‚ teeth can move much more freely‚ and become more crooked in some cases․ In this manner‚ crowding and the health of the gums are often related‚ each one creating the other when untreated․
When a tooth is lost but not replaced‚ the teeth next to the empty space tend to drift into the space left by the lost tooth․ This can alter the bite alignment and cause crowding between previously aligned teeth․ Efficient spacing from dental implants or dental bridges can help to limit such changes from occurring․
Another complication is the inability to properly clean the area between the teeth from plaque by brushing and flossing․ This can lead to plaque formation, cavities, and gum disease‚ which can have an effect on the movement of the teeth‚ since cavities and gum disease can have an effect on the alignment and condition of the teeth․
The good news is that there are ways to treat this condition and prevent your teeth from becoming more crowded․ Orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners can correct your teeth’s alignment․ Although crowding is present and can get worse‚ there are options available to realign and restore normal function․
Regular check-ups with your dentist are important‚ as they can monitor how straight your teeth are and may be able to recommend early intervention․ Treating crowding early tends to be easier and more predictable․
If you have more questions about crowded teeth or how they could affect your dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if addressing your crowded teeth is the best treatment plan for you.
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