Crooked teeth are more than just an aesthetic issue—left unattended, they have the potential to cause serious dental problems. They can also lead to emotional problems such as low self-esteem.
As to why some people’s teeth grow crooked or misaligned, the reasons are many. For some, their mouths are just too small for their teeth, which leads to overcrowding, as each tooth battles for space. In others, it’s because the upper and lower jaws aren’t properly aligned or of equal size, resulting in either an overbite or underbite problem. Other causes of crooked teeth include genetics, early loss of baby teeth, poor oral habits, and sever facial injury, among other things.
Regardless of the cause, crooked teeth can negatively impact not only your oral health, but your overall health as well. Your Atlanta cosmetic dentistry practitioner reveals each of them to you. Take a look, because some might surprise you.
1. Difficult-to-clean teeth
When teeth are crooked, they create areas or pockets that are difficult to reach for toothbrushes and flosses. Bacteria can grow in these nooks and crannies and accumulate to dangerous amounts.
2. Gum disease
A crooked teeth problem increases one’s risk to periodontal or gum disease. Bacteria that grows on crooked teeth can turn into plaque, which is the root cause of gum disease. The problem becomes worse when your gums don’t fit around them securely, giving bacteria more spaces to grow.
3. Excessive tooth wear
When teeth are crooked, it is likely that some teeth are experiencing more friction than others. Over time, this can lead to excessive wear of the enamel, the tooth’s protective layer. Once the enamel is breached, the softer inner structures become exposed, and cavities may soon follow. Unfortunately, there’s no replacing lost enamel. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and your teeth are forever at risk.
4. Chewing difficulties
Crooked teeth can interfere with proper chewing. If you are unable to chew your food properly, you may not be receiving the maximum amount of nutrition from the food you eat.
5. Higher risk of oral injuries
Teeth that jut outward are more likely to crack or chip in the event of an accident. They can also puncture the lining of the inner cheek in case of serious trauma.
6. Bad breath
Crooked teeth may look bad, but they can smell even worse. As mentioned, bacteria have more places to grow when teeth are crooked, and bacteria causes bad breath. On top of that, the food that you are unable to remove by brushing or flossing remains in your mouth and in between your teeth will begin to rot and smell bad.
7. Lower self-esteem and happiness
Several studies show that crooked teeth can affect how a person feels about him or herself. A person may begin to hide their smile because they believe their crooked teeth affects how they appear. On the contrary, several studies have proven that a better-looking set of teeth increases the amount you smile, which can boost one’s confidence.
8. Increase risks to overall health
Dental issues can affect more than just oral health. For instance, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause problems elsewhere in the body, leading to serious conditions such as diabetes, pneumonia, stroke, and heart disease.
Now that you know the possible negative effects of crooked teeth. Hopefully, you are finally convinced to get your teeth straightened. The good news is that help is just a phone call away. Get in touch with a trusted Atlanta cosmetic dentistry professional such as Buckhead Dental Partners to find out if you are a candidate for the many different solutions to crooked teeth.
Sources
Malocclusion of the Teeth, Healthline.com
Dental Health With Crooked Teeth and Misaligned Bites, WebMD.com
