How to avoid irregular teeth

·     Early loss of deciduous teeth If a deciduous tooth is lost prematurely, the adjacent teeth on either side will migrate towards the space of the lost tooth, closing up the space. The reduced space will not allow the succeeding permanent tooth to erupt into good alignment. ·     Bad habits Bad habits such as digit sucking and biting on a pen can induce pressure on the teeth and push them into an abnormal position. ·     Development of oral disease due to lack of proper oral care and treatment ： o     Dental caries Severe dental caries in the adjacent tooth surface will cause the neighboring tooth to tip over and take up the space, and the teeth will become irregular. o     Periodontal disease Severe periodontal disease will result in the loss of bone support to the teeth. The teeth will then drift to abnormal positions. ·     Lost of teeth due to oral diseases (such as dental caries and periodontal disease) or traumatic injury can cause drifting of adjacent teeth.

 How to avoid irregular teeth

·             Irregular teeth caused by hereditary factor are unavoidable.

·             To prevent irregular teeth caused by environmental factors, you should:

o     refrain from bad habits such as digit sucking, pen biting.

o     receive proper oral care and treatment to prevent tooth loss and drifting of teeth.

Management

·             Clean the teeth thoroughly, especially at areas with irregular teeth. You can clean the areas with an interdental brush or toothbrush with a small head.

·             Seek professional advice from an orthodontist to see whether an orthodontic treatment is necessary.

Reference information: www.toothclub.gov.hk , www.bjdental.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your Dentist for diagnosis and treatment.