During growth, it's common for some permanent teeth not to erupt perfectly aligned. They may come in slightly rotated, tilted, or in a different position than expected. In many cases, the mouth is still developing, and the situation may change as the jaws grow and the permanent teeth erupt.
However, crooked teeth in children can also indicate lack of space, bite problems, or habits that are influencing the development of the mouth.
In Asistencia Dental Plus, dental clinic in Valencia, We recommend evaluating each case individually. An early check-up doesn't mean the child needs orthodontics immediately, but rather allows us to monitor their oral development and decide whether follow-up or intervention is necessary at the appropriate time.
Content
Why do permanent teeth sometimes come in crooked?
Permanent teeth are larger than baby teeth. That's why, during the transition from permanent teeth to baby teeth, it may seem like they don't have enough room to come in properly.
Furthermore, not all teeth erupt at the same time. While some teeth have already erupted, others remain under the gum, and the jaws are still growing. This stage can create a temporary appearance of disarray.
Among the most common causes of crooked teeth in children are:
- The lack of space in the archway.
- The difference between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaws.
- Early or late loss of baby teeth.
- The eruption of a permanent tooth in an inappropriate position.
- The presence of additional teeth.
- Certain hereditary factors.
- Some oral habits maintained over time.
- Alterations in the growth of the jaws.
To determine the cause, it is necessary to assess the entire mouth, not just the position of a tooth.
Do all crooked teeth need orthodontics?
No. During childhood, minor irregularities may appear, which improve as growth continues and tooth replacement is completed.
For example, it's common for permanent incisors to erupt slightly separated, rotated, or misaligned. In some cases, their position may change as the remaining teeth erupt and the available space increases.
However, when crowding is significant, the tooth cannot find space to erupt, or there is a bite problem, an assessment should be performed.
The goal is not to put orthodontics on all children who have crooked teeth, but to distinguish which situations are part of development and which need monitoring or treatment.
Lack of space in the mouth
Lack of space is one of the most frequent reasons why permanent teeth appear crooked.
It can be observed when a tooth emerges in front of or behind the others, when several teeth overlap, or when a tooth seems unable to find a suitable place to erupt.
It can also happen that a baby tooth remains in the mouth while the permanent tooth begins to erupt in another area. This situation is relatively common, but it should be checked to see if the baby tooth is loose and if the permanent tooth will be able to erupt correctly.
The assessment allows us to study the amount of space available, the position of the teeth, and the growth of the jaws before deciding what to do.
Bite abnormalities that should be checked
Dental alignment isn't the only important aspect. We also need to look at how the upper and lower teeth fit together when the mouth is closed.
Among the alterations that should be assessed are:
Crossbite
It occurs when one or more upper teeth are positioned inside the lower teeth. It can affect the front, back, or just one side of the mouth.
Open bite
This occurs when the upper and lower teeth don't meet when the mouth is closed. It can be related to habits such as thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or tongue thrusting.
Overbite
This occurs when the upper teeth excessively overlap the lower teeth. In some cases, it can lead to tooth wear or contact between the teeth and the gums.
Underbite
The lower teeth are positioned in front of the upper teeth. This situation may be related to tooth position or jaw growth.
Detecting these disorders during childhood allows us to observe their evolution and assess whether treatment may be necessary. children's orthodontics.
Mouth breathing can also play a role.
Habitually breathing through the mouth, especially during sleep, can influence oral development.
The child may sleep with their mouth open, snore, wake up with dry mouth, or keep their lips parted for much of the day. In some cases, mouth breathing is associated with a narrower palate, changes in tongue position, and bite problems.
The cause may lie in nasal obstruction, the size of the tonsils or adenoids, allergies, or an acquired habit. Therefore, when mouth breathing is detected, a coordinated evaluation with other professionals may be necessary.
The pediatric dentist can identify some of the signs and guide the family on the next steps.
Habits that can affect dental development
Some oral habits are normal during the first years of life. The problem arises when they persist for too long or are performed too intensely.
Among the most frequent are:
- Sucking your thumb.
- Prolonged use of a pacifier.
- Push your teeth with your tongue.
- Biting nails or other objects.
- Keep your mouth open regularly.
- Always chew on the same side.
- Grinding or clenching the teeth.
These habits can put pressure on the teeth and jaws, gradually changing their position.
They don't always cause a problem, but it's worth observing them and assessing whether they are affecting the bite or growth.
When is it advisable to request an assessment?
It is advisable to ask if the family observes:
- Very crowded or overlapping teeth.
- A permanent tooth that erupts behind or in front of the baby tooth.
- Obvious lack of space.
- Difficulty closing the mouth properly.
- Upper and lower teeth that do not fit together.
- Jaw deviation when biting.
- Habitual breathing through the mouth.
- Frequent snoring.
- Very early loss or delay in the shedding of baby teeth.
- Difficulty chewing or pronouncing certain sounds.
- A sucking habit that continues after the first few years.
An assessment can also be performed even if there are no obvious signs. Regular checkups allow for monitoring growth and detecting small changes before they become more complex problems.
What is assessed during the review?
In a consultation Pediatric dentistry in Valencia The condition of the primary and permanent teeth is assessed, along with the eruption sequence and the space available for the new teeth to erupt and align correctly. The fit of both dental arches is also checked, as well as whether jaw growth is progressing in a balanced manner.
The examination allows observation of tongue position, detection of signs of mouth breathing, and identification of habits that may be influencing dental development or bite. When necessary, this examination can be supplemented with diagnostic tests to more accurately determine the position of the teeth and structures that are still growing.
After the assessment, simply observing the patient's progress may be recommended. In other cases, it will be advisable to establish regular check-ups or consider interceptive treatment at the most appropriate time.
Assessing early does not mean treating prematurely.
Early screening provides valuable information for more accurate decision-making. Some children only need monitoring until more teeth erupt. Others may benefit from intervention at a specific growth stage.
The appropriate time depends on the type of alteration, the dental age, the development of the jaws, and the individual characteristics of the child.
At Asistencia Dental Plus we study each case individually to avoid both unnecessary treatments and missed opportunities to act during growth.
Furthermore, we work under rigorous clinical protocols and have the Certificate of Dental Excellence DentalQuality, a recognition that endorses our commitment to quality, prevention and personalized attention.
You can call us at 963 16 26 56, write to us via WhatsApp at 658 788 759 o Request your appointment through our contact page.
If you notice that your child's teeth are coming in crooked, an evaluation can help you determine if it's part of normal growth or if follow-up is needed.
