Human anatomy dictates that our teeth should be in a perfect row.

When baby teeth form and come in as they should, it paves the path for a healthy set of permanent teeth later in life. Teeth that fit together properly help a child grow and develop, facilitating things like learning to talk clearly and eating a balanced diet. When the teeth are aligned properly, the jaw joints are less likely to experience undue strain.

When teeth are properly aligned, they are more protected from damage and the possibility of bruxism is lessened (tooth grinding and clenching). Having severely crooked teeth can make you more likely to grind your teeth in your sleep. While having straight teeth and proper occlusion has many positive effects, not everyone is blessed with this trait. Teeth movement is common in adults, even among those who had orthodontic treatment as children.

Adult teeth need space to erupt into, and primary teeth serve as temporary “placeholders” for that space. If a baby tooth is knocked out too soon, the other primary teeth may shift into the empty area. Inadequate room for the adult tooth to erupt normally increases the likelihood that it may emerge crooked and misaligned when it eventually tries to break through. The adult teeth may not come together properly, leading to inadequate occlusion.

If your parents and/or siblings do not have perfectly straight teeth or if they have jaws that are too tiny or too large, then you may be at an increased risk of developing the same problems.

The growth of the jaw can also be affected by other issues, such as:

• Poor diet.
• Behavioral patterns involving the mouth and teeth, such as thumb and finger sucking.
• Consistent pacifier use after the age of 3.
• Intense bottle consumption.
• having teeth that don’t fit in their mouths properly; teeth that are formed differently than average.
• Symptoms such as enlarged adenoids or tonsils, difficulty in breathing, or allergies.
• Chewing the cud and inhaling via the mouth.

Sometimes, orthodontic issues could be attributed to the modern diet.

It has been found through scientific inquiry that persons living in developed nations tend to consume a more pliable diet. Since prolonged chewing of food is unnecessary, their jaws and teeth grow too little and too short for their faces. The teeth and jaws of an unborn child can be influenced by the mother’s diet.

Thumb or finger sucking, as well as the usage of a pacifier or bottle, might result in irregular growth of the upper palate, hence preventing the teeth from erupting properly. Most likely, they will appear skewed and out of place. The jaws and teeth can only grow in as they should if people learn to breathe in and out through their noses. Nasal obstructions can be caused by allergies, sinus infections, enlarged tonsils, or adenoids.