It’s exciting to see your infant's baby teeth come in, but it can be concerning if you notice they’re crooked. While there’s no reason to be alarmed, you may wonder how it can affect the growth of the rest of their pearly whites. For more insight, take a look at this brief guide about causes and tips for prevention.   

What Causes Crooked Baby Teeth?

Genetics majorly impacts how a baby’s teeth grow. For instance, overcrowding can occur if a child inherits large teeth from one parent and a small jaw from the other. Another leading factor is excessive sucking of their thumb or pacifier. The sucking motion places pressure on the upper and lower teeth, which can cause misalignment. It’s recommended to get your child out of the habit of sucking their thumb and pacifier when they’re between the age of 1 and 2 years.      

Do They Affect Future Adult Teeth?

It’s completely normal for baby teeth to not be in perfect alignment. The bottom ones often emerge in a V shape, while others come in at a slant. It’s also common for upper pearly whites to be larger than lower ones. When adult teeth do begin to appear, they usually straighten as they grow, and the tongue helps in pushing them into alignment. Before becoming too worried, know that crooked teeth in babies aren’t an indicator that their adult ones are going to come in the same. 

Can You Prevent Them?

In cases where genetics plays a role, it can be difficult to prevent crooked baby teeth. You can take action, however, when it comes to the sucking of their thumb and pacifier. The sooner the better, so start weaning them off these habits when they’re 12 months old, because it may take time. 

Establishing healthy oral practices early on also helps. As soon as their first pearly whites appear, you can use a baby toothbrush and a tiny amount of toddler toothpaste for brushing. Reducing their intake of sugary foods and beverages is beneficial as well. If you’re still concerned, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist. They can check your infant’s mouth to detect potential abnormalities and recommend further steps.       

If you want to have your child’s baby teeth checked, pay a visit to Pedodontic Associates in Hawaii. The practice has offices on Oahu and Maui, and offers a soothing and comfortable environment for children, providing gentle care. For an appointment, call (808) 487-7933 for the Aiea office, (808) 735-1733 for the Honolulu location, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului. You can also visit their website to learn more about their services.