What are the Degrees and Signs of Dental Crowding?

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Simply put, crowded teeth are a dental issue in which all of your teeth do not fit within your jaw. It occurs when there is not enough space in the jaw to accommodate emerging teeth. When you have overcrowded teeth, your jaw size may be too small, or your teeth may be too huge as explained by a cosmetic dentist in Dallas, TX. Everyone’s jaws have arches designed for each tooth in their mouth. The arches have certain measurements that teeth should fit into. Teeth with huge sizes may fail to fit between these arches, causing crowding. In this article, we will talk about the different degrees of crowding in your jaw and signs of dental crowding.

Depending on the jaw size and the number of teeth, overcrowded lower teeth can either be mild, moderate, or severe.

Mild dental crowding: If one anterior tooth is rotated slightly it qualifies as mild crowding.
Moderate dental crowding: This condition occurs when there are two to three overlapping anterior teeth in the upper or lower jaw.
Severe dental crowding: In this condition, a majority of the teeth in both jaws overlap each other.

The Signs of Tooth Crowding

Tooth crowding isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a condition that can affect your oral health and comfort. Here’s how to spot the signs:

Altered Bite: Improper alignment of upper and lower teeth might cause abnormal wear and chewing difficulties. This misalignment, termed malocclusion, might cause further difficulties.
Overlapping: Overlapping teeth might cause difficulty cleaning and plaque accumulation. This is commonly observed in the front teeth, although it can happen anywhere in the mouth.
Issues with Dental Health: Crowded teeth make it difficult to clean or brush between them, increasing the risk of cavities and periodontal disorders. This complicates adequate dental care, raising the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Speech: Crowded teeth can impede speech and cause self-consciousness or reluctance to speak in social situations. Misaligned teeth can cause lisping and other speech difficulties.
Pain: Crowded teeth might produce unequal pressure while biting, leading to persistent jaw or TMJ discomfort. Over time, this can cause discomfort, jaw pain, and even headaches.

Untreated crowding causes the disease to worsen over time, eventually becoming severe. Severe crowding often takes longer to treat than light congestion. Therefore, it is critical to start the consultation with your dentist as early as possible.