How Sleeping On Your Stomach And Poor Posture Lead To Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth are quite embarrassing and can deny you the liberty of smiling or laughing when your friends are cracking up some jokes. Though sometimes dental problems can be related to genetics, others are born out of habits or behaviors that can be easily avoided. When you develop crooked teeth, for instance, it could be due to habits that you do not even realize they are affecting your teeth. Here are two habits that you should completely avoid:

1.Sleeping On Your Stomach

The question that comes to mind is how this affects your teeth. Well, it is because of the shape of your skull. The human skull has a small protrusion around the area where the teeth are located. Hence when you sleep on one side of your face, or on your belly, a gentle pressure is exerted on the teeth. If you sleep in this position for a long time, your teeth may shift gradually. The solution is relatively simple: stop sleeping on your stomach and try to sleep on your back for a change.  

2.Resting Your Face On Your Hand

That sounds like a myth but the truth is that leaning your face on your hand can actually lead to crooked teeth. When you rest your face on your hand, a persistent pressure is built and exerted on the lower face. With time, the pressure forces the teeth inwards. The solution is to improve your posture by sitting upright. Every time you feel like resting your face on your hand, remind yourself of its consequence.

Dangers Of Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can cause bruxism (teeth grinding), which can lead to problems like earache, jaw pain, and headaches. Bruxism occurs mostly at night, and hence, most victims are unaware that they suffer from the condition. But if you can't figure out why you are being troubled by persistent headaches or earaches, it could be a hint that you are victim of bruxism. In more serious cases, bruxism wears down teeth to stumps, which may require crowns or bridges to repair.

It is therefore important to seek the services of an orthodontist if you have crooked teeth. There are different ways an orthodontist can restore the original shape and alignment of your teeth. They include the use of conventional braces, clear aligners, and removable aligners. If you do not want people to note your braces, opt for lingual braces. They are usually fixed on the inside of the teeth, and therefore they are not visible. 

For more information about how orthodontics can help with your crooked teeth, contact a local dental clinic.