Noticed Your Baby's Teeth Are Crooked

Noticed Your Baby's Teeth Are Crooked? Your Next Steps

Noticing your baby's teeth coming in crooked can give any Aussie parent a proper worry. You might wonder: "Are crooked baby teeth normal? Will this affect their permanent teeth? Should we see a children's dentist?" Rest easy - misaligned baby teeth are common, but understanding why it happens helps you care for your toddler's dental development.

When a Bit of Wonkiness in Baby's Teeth is Fairly Normal

Remember, these baby's teeth are just temporary, and a little bit of crookedness often sorts itself out as their jaw grows. Having a bit of space between baby's teeth is actually a good sign – it means there's room for those bigger permanent teeth to come in later. So, if your baby's teeth are crooked but have little gaps, that's often okay. A slight "V-shape" in those bottom front baby teeth is pretty common and usually doesn't mean trouble down the line, even though they might look a little crooked.

V-shape teeth

When Should You Worry About Crooked Baby Teeth?

Most cases of slightly crooked primary teeth resolve naturally, but consult your pediatric dentist if you notice:

  • ⚠️ Severe overcrowding where teeth significantly overlap
  • ⚠️ Functional issues with chewing or clear speech
  • ⚠️ Early tooth loss creating space problems
  • ⚠️ Visible jaw misalignment or unusual bite patterns

Proactive Steps for Healthy Tooth Alignment

  • Break sucking habits gently by preschool years
  • Encourage nasal breathing to support proper jaw growth
  • Maintain excellent oral hygiene - decay-free teeth stay in place longer
  • Schedule regular dental visits starting by first birthday

Remember: Baby teeth spacing often looks worse than it is! Many "problems" self-correct as more teeth erupt and jaws grow.

As Brisbane pediatric dentist Dr. Emma Waters notes: "We rarely treat crooked baby teeth unless they're causing functional issues. The real focus is preserving them until they're ready to fall out naturally."

When Should You See the Dentist About Your Baby's Crooked Teeth?

It's best to get some professional advice if you notice your baby's teeth are crooked and:

  • ✅ They are really crowded or overlapping.
  • ✅ Your little one is having trouble biting, chewing, or talking.
  • ✅ They seem to be in pain or discomfort because of how their baby's teeth are positioned.
  • ✅ You notice any abnormal baby teeth shape that concerns you, as this might be contributing to why your baby's teeth are crooked.

Why Are Me Bub's Teeth Growing in Crooked?

Several factors can cause baby teeth to grow crooked:

  • Family Traits Play a Big Role
    • If you or your partner had crowded baby teeth as kids, your little one might inherit similar dental patterns
    • Jaw size affects tooth alignment - petite jaws often lead to overlapping baby teeth
  • Sucking Habits Affect Tooth Position
    • Extended dummy use or thumb-sucking beyond age 2 can push front baby teeth outward, creating gaps or buck teeth
    • These habits may alter the palate shape, contributing to malocclusion in primary teeth
  • Tongue and Breathing Patterns Matter
    • Tongue thrusting (pushing against teeth when swallowing) may gradually cause misaligned milk teeth
    • Chronic mouth breathing can impact jaw growth and lead to crooked deciduous teeth
  • Timing of Tooth Eruption Influences Alignment
    • Early erupting teeth might emerge at odd angles if neighbors haven't made space
    • Late bloomers may find their spots taken, resulting in crowded primary dentition
  • Injuries or Developmental Quirks
    • A knock to the mouth might displace developing teeth
    • Unusual tooth shapes (like fused teeth) can disrupt the dental arch in toddlers
the image shows a baby's teeth are crooked

Will Adult Teeth Follow Suit If Baby Teeth Are Crooked?

Here's what dental professionals want you to know about primary vs permanent tooth alignment:

  • Baby Teeth Serve as Placeholders
    • Those first teeth maintain space for their permanent replacements. Early loss from decay or trauma might cause shifting baby teeth that crowd incoming adult teeth
  • Crooked Milk Teeth Don't Always Spell Trouble
    • Many kids with slightly misaligned baby teeth develop perfectly straight permanent teeth naturally as their jaw expands
  • Watch for These Red Flags
    • Severe crowding, crossbites, or protruding teeth in your child's primary dentition may indicate future orthodontic needs
  • The Magic Age for Early Intervention
    • Most dentists recommend an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to assess jaw growth and emerging tooth positioning

Do Dummies and Bottles Really Cause Crooked Teeth?

Let's separate fact from fiction about pacifiers and dental development:

  • The Dummy Dilemma

    Prolonged use (beyond 2-3 years) can lead to:

    • Anterior open bite (front teeth don't meet)
    • Narrow upper arch requiring later palatal expansion

    Smart solutions:

    • Switch to orthodontic pacifiers by 6 months
    • Limit to sleep times after age 1
    • Aim to wean completely by 24 months
  • Bottle Feeding Realities

    Less likely to directly cause tooth misalignment than dummies But watch for:

    • "Bottle mouth" decay from prolonged use
    • Speech development issues from improper tongue posture

    Pro tip: Transition to sippy cups by 12-15 months to support proper oral motor development

Do Dummies and Bottles Really Cause Crooked Teeth

What Can Be Done Early On for Baby's Crooked Teeth?

If you're concerned about your baby's teeth being crooked, there are a few things dentists might suggest:

  • Space Maintainers: If a baby tooth is lost too early and the other baby's teeth start to shift, these little gadgets can hold the space for the permanent tooth to come in straight.
  • Habit-Breaking Appliances: These can help if thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting is contributing to your baby's teeth being crooked.
  • Orthodontic Check-up Around Age 7: This can help spot any potential alignment issues early on, even if your baby's teeth weren't particularly crooked.

How to Help Prevent or Manage Baby's Crooked Teeth

There are a few things you can do at home to help manage or potentially prevent your baby's teeth from being crooked:

  • Ease Off the Dummies and Thumbs to Help Prevent Baby's Teeth Being Crooked
    • Try to wean them off the dummy by around 18 to 24 months.
    • Encourage them to stop thumb-sucking by the time they're 3 or 4 to avoid any dental changes that can lead to baby's teeth being crooked.
  • Encourage Good Mouth Posture to Help with Baby's Teeth Alignment
    • Teach them to breathe through their nose with their lips together, not through their mouth, as mouth breathing can sometimes contribute to baby's teeth being crooked.
    • Make sure their tongue rests on the roof of their mouth, not pushing against their baby's teeth.
  • Keep Those Pearly Whites Clean to Promote Healthy Baby Teeth
    • Brush their teeth twice a day to stop decay, which can lead to early baby tooth loss and potentially cause other babies' teeth to become crooked as they shift.
    • Get them in for their first dental check-up by the time they're one for some early advice on looking after their baby teeth.
  • Keep an Eye on How Your Baby's Teeth Are Developing
    • If your 8-month-old's teeth are crooked, just keep track of how things are looking as more baby teeth come in. Sometimes, things can even out a bit.
    • If you notice your 6-year-old's bottom teeth are coming in crooked, it might be worth a chat with an orthodontist, even if their baby teeth weren't overly crooked.

The picture shows a diagram of the baby's tooth development

Final Thoughts

Don't Panic Too Much About Baby's Crooked Teeth, But Stay Observant.

While seeing that your baby's teeth are crooked can be a little concerning, it's often nothing to worry about. Just keeping an eye on things helps make sure their permanent teeth have a healthy start. Most of the time, it sorts itself out, but if you're worried about your baby's crooked teeth, a paediatric dentist can give you the best advice.

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