Crooked and overlapping teeth are very common and there are several causes for this condition.

1. 1. Jaw size and tooth size do not match (Malocclusion or improper tooth arrangement)
      resulting in either the teeth getting into a cramp and overcrowded or too much spacing situation.

1. 1. Wrong relationship between the upper and lower jaws
      resulting in either upper or lower jaw protruding beyond the normal relationship.

1. 1. Premature loss of baby or adult teeth due to tooth decay, gum disease or trauma.

1. 1. Bad oral habits during childhood
      This affect the proper development of the jaw and teeth arrangement include thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, prolonged use of a pacifier or feeding with a milk bottle.

Most of these abnormal dental or jaw conditions are genetic. You might have inherited them from your parents or grandparents. Whatever the cause is, it is always good to have your teeth assessed by a dentist for possible treatments.

Crooked teeth and misaligned bites can make proper oral cleaning more challenging as germs and food tend to trap in hard to reach areas, thus increasing risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If the malocclusion or malalignment of the teeth and jaw is severe, it may interfere with speech and chewing function.

The most damaging effects are the psychological problems of these unsightly teeth and jaw problem caused compared to the undesirable physical appearance itself.

It will make you self-conscious about your appearance and affect your self-esteem and confidence which may make you smile and laugh less, not willing to be photographed, avoid meeting new people in turns have huge negative impacts on your personal, social and professional relationships and their quality of life.

Teeth straightening with the help of braces or sometimes even jaw surgeries for more severe cases can help you eliminate the above physical and psychological negative effects and improve your quality of life for the better.

Almost all the people who are wearing braces are doing it for aesthetic reason and situation where people need braces to improve normal function of speech and eating are rare. Don’t be worried too much about how you look during the braces treatment, in no time you will be enjoying your new smile and look with improved self-esteem and confidence for the rest of your life.