There’s no denying that your smile is one of the first things people notice when they meet you, and first impressions matter. However, there are bigger reasons to consider treating issues like crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites. These may seem like just a physical flaw, however, ignoring dental issues such as these can lead to future problems. Read on to learn some useful facts on why the appearance of your teeth matters to your health.
What are tooth misalignments?
How your teeth look affects the function of your mouth. Misalignments such as overbites occur when your teeth don’t match up correctly. In people with overbites, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. Crowding causes other misalignment issues where some teeth protrude outward Crooked teeth also cause protruding. Problems with misalignment may cause you to feel self-conscious, but there are even more important reasons to consider misalignment correction.
Misalignments cause pain
When your teeth are misaligned, your teeth do not come together evenly when closing your mouth and chewing. It may not seem like a big deal; however, misalignments can lead to problems, including jaw pain and even temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), a condition where the upper and lower jaw failed to line up correctly. TMD can cause significant problems, including pain in the ear and lower jaw.
Increased risk of gum disease
Misaligned teeth make it harder to keep your teeth clean. Every crack and crevice of your teeth can harbor harmful bacteria, that if not removed daily, can grow uncontrolled and damage your oral health. As the bacteria builds up and becomes hard, it is harder to remove with brushing alone. You’ll need to see a dentist to remove built-up plaque. If not addressed, gum disease can develop.
Abnormal wear-and-tear
Crooked or otherwise misaligned teeth impair the function of your mouth. When you chew and the teeth are not lined up, they tend to wear down abnormally. This can result in the teeth in a certain area of your mouth wearing down in an accelerated manner. Even mild tooth wear can cause the tooth enamel to become thin. In moderate wear, tooth length is shortened, leaving dentin, the softer underlying layer, exposed. If left untreated, the wear can become more severe. In people with severe tooth wear, tooth length is significantly shortened, and a person’s facial structure is significantly impacted.
Increased risk of tooth injuries
If your teeth are crooked, crowded, or the upper or lower teeth are protruding outward, you run the risk of your teeth cracking or chipping. This causes a more complicated problem than if you had corrected the misalignment in the first place. Overall, correcting misalignments protects your overall oral health.
Impacts your overall health
Few people realize that there’s a connection between oral health and overall health. Taking care of your teeth helps protect you against chronic diseases. The same bacteria that cause gum disease can travel through your bloodstream, causing inflammation and wreaking havoc in other parts of your body.
If the bacteria make a home in your gut, it can cause problems by throwing off the balance of good bacteria. The resulting inflammation caused by bacteria that travel outside of the mouth can increase the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. What’s more, if you have diabetes, gum disease can make it harder to control your blood sugar.
It’s never too late
No matter where you are in your oral health, it’s never too late to start taking care of your teeth and gums and correcting issues like crooked or misaligned teeth. The team at Glow Orthodontics help patients improve their health and feel more confident one smile at a time. We offer effective options for correcting bites and straightening teeth. For more information, speak with an experienced team member to schedule an appointment by calling or use our online booking tool.