What Increases Your Risk

Factors that increase the risk of developing malocclusion include:

• A family history of malocclusion. Jaw and tooth size are inherited traits that can cause too much or too little room for the teeth.
• Oral habits, such as thumb-sucking and possibly mouth breathing.
• Tooth loss, due to trauma or tooth decay. After a tooth is knocked out or removed (extracted), the bordering teeth drift out of place. Major causes of childhood tooth loss include:
  • Playing sports without a mouth guard.
  • Using poor dental hygiene.
  • Stumbling or falling accidents.
  • Sucking on a baby bottle during sleep. The sugars in juice, milk, and formula can cause tooth decay.