THERE ARE MANY benefits of having straight teeth beyond just looks. Studies show that when someone has a straight smile, others see them as more intelligent, successful, and likely to get dates compared to someone with crooked teeth. But why do so many people’s teeth grow in crooked in the first place?
Are Modern Diets the Problem?
Modern eating habits are one possible contributing factors. When we grow up eating processed foods rather than a tough, fibrous diet like our hunter-gatherer ancestors did, it doesn’t stimulate as much jaw growth, so our teeth have less room and end up crooked and crowded. (The trade-off is that a hunter-gatherer diet would erode the chewing surfaces of teeth much faster.)
Genetics Sometimes Lead to Crowding
Genes can also contribute to orthodontic problems. If a child inherits Mom’s small jaws and Dad’s large teeth, they’re likely to have crowding issues, and children whose parents needed braces will probably also need them.
Sometimes It Comes Down to Daily Habits
Daily habits can also impact tooth alignment. These include vigorous thumbsucking or pacifier use past age 4, a tongue-thrust reflex, habitual mouth breathing, or even simply resting the jaw on the hand frequently. Daily habits have a cumulative effect on our teeth and the shape of our dental arches.