How your smile looks when your teeth are crooked can be a significant concern, depending on how noticeable the malocclusion is. A more significant concern, however, is how the misalignment of your teeth affects other aspects of your oral health. Today, we examine a few reasons why you should worry about crooked teeth and how they can impact your oral health and quality of life in several ways if you don’t correct them.
They make hygiene harder
Keeping your teeth clean and free of bacteria is a cornerstone of keeping your smile healthy. However, when your teeth don’t align correctly, your toothbrush and floss are more likely to miss spots of harmful plaque here and there. This increases your risks of issues like tooth decay and gum disease, which can cause even more complications for your oral health.
They affect how your bite works
When you bite and chew, your teeth should meet each other squarely each time. This takes proper alignment and symmetry in both the upper and lower dental ridges. If they don’t, then your jaw muscles have to compensate, which can lead to them and your jaw’s joints becoming exhausted or damaged.
They’re more likely to be lost
Besides the increased risk of gum disease, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, crooked teeth are also more susceptible to severe damage due to the imbalanced pressure of your bite. The longer your teeth are crooked, the higher this risk becomes, and you may need to replace a lost tooth or several as part of your smile restoration.
Find the Right Orthodontic Option for You
At our office, we offer a variety of orthodontic options to help you address your specific concerns. To schedule an appointment, call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849. We proudly welcome patients and families from Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, Cypress, Sealy, Columbus, and all surrounding communities.
