Babies sprout their first milk teeth as early as 6 months up to 12 months. You would probably notice a wide smile with the little tooth. While that can be exciting, there is also a possibility that your little one might develop crooked teeth. As a parent, it can be quite worrying to observe crooked teeth in babies. You may be concerned that their permanent teeth may come in crooked too.
So, what are the reasons behind crooked teeth in babies? Are genetics to be blamed, or are there any other underlying reasons too? What can you, as a parent, do if your baby is getting crooked teeth? And is there anything parents can do to totally prevent this condition? This article covers all these topics and much more.
In This Article
- What Are Crooked Teeth in Babies?
- Top 5 Causes of Crooked Teeth in Babies
- What to Do if Your Baby’s Teeth Are Crooked?
- How to Prevent Crooked Teeth in Babies?
- FAQ’s
What Are Crooked Teeth in Babies?
Crooked teeth means the ones which are misaligned. They look misshaped, twisted, or overlapping. While in adults, they usually occur during the growth of permanent teeth, in babies, they may appear even with the milk tooth. You may notice that your little one’s teeth are not straight or misaligned.
It is quite normal for some babies to have crooked teeth. Baby teeth or milk teeth act as a blueprint for the later eruption of permanent teeth in babies. If you are concerned about your baby having crooked baby teeth, you will be happy to know that permanent teeth can erupt and grow normally even if your baby happens to have crooked baby teeth.
Top 5 Causes of Crooked Teeth in Babies
The following are a few of the causes of crooked teeth in babies.
1. Dental Habits
Babies tend to put everything that they find in their mouths. This is a phase and the way they try to explore the world. It is not a good dental habit. Further, Thumb sucking, pacifiers, and increased bottle feeding can lead to crooked teeth. Do you know these are all terrible dental habits? Well, they are.
[Read : Baby Mouthing – Precautions And Tips to Stop it]
2. Jaw Alignment
Some babies tend to grow all their teeth very early. The Jaw might not have been grown and developed fully to secure all the teeth. With a small jaw, your baby’s tooth might appear crooked.
3. Genetics
Is it not surprising to know that crooked teeth can be inherited? If either you or your partner has crooked teeth, the baby is most likely to have one too.
4. Sleeping on Tummy
Babies who sleep on their stomachs have the chance of developing crooked teeth. They tend to put pressure on their cheeks and mouth when they sleep on their tummy. This may end up in crooked teeth. You may notice them in the long run.
5. Cyst
In certain unfortunate conditions, your baby may develop a tumor or cyst inside the mouth. This might lead to crooked teeth.
What to Do if Your Baby’s Teeth Are Crooked?
Remember that it is common for your baby’s tooth to appear crooked. Their small jaw may make it look overcrowded and crooked. But, when you notice that they have crooked teeth, you can do the following to help them overcome it.
1. Start Practicing Better Dental Hygiene
If your little one’s while pearls have sprouted, brush them daily. Clean their teeth after every meal. If they prefer to brush themselves, check whether they have cleaned them properly. This will help prevent cavities and deposition of plaque in between gaps.
[Read : How to Clean Your Baby’s Mouth]
2. Stop Encouraging Unhealthy Dental Practices
Pacifiers can help make the babies calm down from fussiness. However, it would be best if you got rid of them before they turn two. Otherwise, it will be an addiction and challenging to stop. Stopping your little one from thumb sucking is much more complex than avoiding pacifiers.
3. Consult a Dentist
When you find your baby’s teeth crooked, consult a dentist and look at the treatment that can be provided to get over it.
How to Prevent Crooked Teeth in Babies?
Crooked teeth can be the result of both hereditary and environmental factors. If your baby inherits it from the parent, it isn’t easy to prevent.
However, if environmental factors are the major cause, you can take the following steps or measures to prevent crooked teeth in babies.
- Gain knowledge about the condition.
- Follow and maintain oral hygiene for your baby.
- If your baby has cavities, get them treated.
- If there’s a missing tooth, talk to a doctor and fill the space.
- Say a strict no to teether, pacifier, and feeding bottle.
- Control the habit of thumb-sucking.
- Remove the extra teeth.
Orthodontics is the branch that deals with crooked teeth. The department strives to educate the patient and the parent about the teeth and the steps to prevent them.
Crooked teeth in babies are quite common. When a mother has a small mouth, and a father has large teeth, the baby might combine and have a cramped mouth. Sometimes, it will straighten out as they grow up. Else, they might develop crooked teeth. When the reason is genetics, there is nothing much we can do. But, if the crooked teeth are for other environmental reasons, you need to take control of it.
Happy Parenting!
[Read : Thumb Sucking in Babies]
FAQ’s
1. Do Crooked Baby Teeth Straighten Out?
No. But, there are chances that it might straighten out. Many changes occur in your baby’s mouth during the 3rd to 6th year. The teeth might appear crooked but get straightened as they grow up.
2. Does Breastfeeding Cause Crooked Tooth in Babies?
No. Breastfeeding does not cause crooked teeth.
3. What Causes Babies to Have Crooked Teeth?
The reason may be either genetics or other external factors.
Read Also: Why Do My Toddler’s Teeth Look Discolored?
