If you have crooked teeth, there’s probably a good chance you’ve considered fixing crooked teeth at some point or another. But having straight teeth isn’t only good for your appearance; it can have significant health implications as well.
Crooked teeth can lead to dangerous conditions like gum disease or plaque build-up. These conditions worsen over time and are often exacerbated by each other, making it hard to keep a clean and healthy mouth. Even if you don’t care about your physical appearance, your crooked teeth are probably causing you more problems than you realize. Here are 7 major reasons why visiting an Orthodontist in Indian Land, SC, to fix crooked teeth is crucial.
7 Reasons Why it’s Important in Fixing Crooked Teeth
1. GUM DISEASE
Crooked teeth can be challenging to keep clean, which is why gum disease is prevalent among people who struggle with misaligned teeth.
Teeth that aren’t straight often harbor more bacteria and plaque. Over time, as this condition worsens, bacteria invade your gum line and cause inflammation. This inflammation is known as gingivitis.
Gum disease or gingivitis results from a lack of proper care and cleaning over time. It can be painful and even cause you not to want to brush your teeth as much. With proper brushing, flossing, and regular trips to the dentist, you can stave this off for a while. However, straight teeth are easier to care for and less likely to accumulate bacteria and plaque.
2. JAW PAIN, STRAIN, AND MISALIGNMENT
If your crooked teeth are severe enough, they can also cause other dental issues such as jaw pain and unevenness. Teeth are supposed to be straight, so over time, the stress of biting and chewing can cause undue pressure on your jaw and other areas of your mouth if they’re not. People have reported misaligned jaws, cracked teeth, and migraines caused by crooked teeth. Even if you don’t experience any ill symptoms of your crooked teeth now, you may be subjected to pain and difficulty chewing later on in life as they cause more damage.
As orthodontists, we’ve undergone 3 years of extension training in understanding craniofacial growth. This means that we know the way your teeth grow into your skull and how they shape your tooth and jaw positions. We can help you get your teeth back on track and not only straighten your teeth but protect your craniofacial alignment too.
3. PLAQUE BUILD-UP
Crooked teeth require more time and cleaning than regular teeth. Even if you’re spending enough time keeping them clean and visiting your dentist regularly, wouldn’t you rather spend less time on tooth care?
Chances are you’re not one of those people who spend enough time on their teeth. Most Americans aren’t even brushing and flossing as much as they should be already. This means people with crooked teeth should most likely spend more time on oral hygiene.
4. CAVITIES
As mentioned, even with a perfect brushing routine, crooked teeth are still more likely to get cavities. Unfair, right? With all those nooks and crannies for food to get stuck in, your chances of getting a cavity increase exponentially. Add to that worn enamel and gum disease, and the situation just got worse.
Fixing cavities and tooth decay is expensive and often painful. You could avoid going through that suffering and restore your teeth before becoming more prone to cavities and decay. Fixing bad crooked teeth can help you avoid cavities and make brushing and flossing easier on you!
5. BAD BREATH
Nobody wants to be around someone with bad breath! You may feel like no matter what you do, you can’t help it. Or, maybe you’ve stopped noticing altogether. But bad breath is pretty common in people with crooked teeth because you can’t provide crooked teeth with the same care as straight teeth.
Not only can difficult-to-clean teeth cause cavities, plaque build-up, and gum disease, but they’re also more prone to causing bad breath! When food particles get stuck in teeth, it can cause bacteria to brew.
6. INCREASED WEAR ON ENAMEL
Genetics, thumb sucking, and injuries are usually the leading causes of crooked teeth. Unfortunately, with this comes increased wear on enamel and stress on your teeth. Even eating regular foods can put increased strain on your mouth, and on parts of your teeth that shouldn’t be rubbing together.
As we get older, enamel loss occurs naturally, such as when teeth are ground together or exposed to acidic foods. But for those with crooked teeth, it happens more rapidly. From there, enamel loss can lead to cavities and sensitivity. Your orthodontist can help develop a plan that not only straightens your teeth but ensures the positioning and alignment is conducive to a healthy face and mouth.
7. CONFIDENCE
Crooked front teeth can cause major confidence issues for people who care about their aesthetic appearance. While you don’t have to have straight teeth to be attractive or confident, for most people, it certainly helps!
While having straight teeth is appealing, orthodontists complete training to balance your underlying facial aesthetic while realigning your teeth. Although you can’t fix what causes crooked teeth, you do have the chance to fix them now! Regain confidence and feel better about smiling again!
FIX CROOKED TEETH WITH AN EXPERT ORTHODONTIST
As you’ve seen, clean and healthy teeth start with straight teeth. Fix crooked teeth before your oral health is compromised and you develop more significant problems down the line.
If you’ve decided you’re ready to make a decision to fix crooked teeth, this is your chance! Stop wondering how to fix crooked teeth and visit Indian Land Orthodontics to improve your confidence and oral health. At Indian Land Orthodontics, our orthodontist provides treatment such as adult orthodontics, Invisalign, and metal braces in fort mill
Your smile is our priority! Please schedule a consultation today to see how we can help you get the smile you deserve!