If you believe misaligned teeth are only a cosmetic problem, you need to think again. Having straight teeth is much more than achieving that perfect and beautiful smile.
There are many associated health benefits too. Ensuring that your teeth are properly aligned keeps them healthy and helps prevent future problems. For one, it is easier to clean straight teeth, making you less likely to battle tooth decay and gum disease. This means that you will save a lot of money on expensive procedures like root canals and implants in the future.
Our team of professionals at Palmetto Dental Arts understands this, and we are equipped to help you align your teeth and improve your health. But what are the root causes of misaligned teeth in the first place? And what other issues can you fix simply by straightening your teeth?
Many factors can cause crooked teeth. If either of your jaws is larger than the other, it can lead to an overbite or an underbite. However, you do not have any control over this because these traits are genetic.
Additional causes of misaligned teeth include, but are not limited to:
While we all love that beautiful smile, having aligned teeth is also good for your overall health. It is very difficult to properly brush or floss teeth that are out of alignment. In addition to obvious problems like cavities and gum disease, misaligned teeth can cause earaches, headaches, and speech problems.
Furthermore, because practicing good oral hygiene on misaligned teeth is difficult, food particles get stuck in the teeth for long periods. This leads to a build-up of bacterial plaque, which, if not addressed in time, can result in periodontal disease and, in the long run, lead to tooth loss. Having crooked teeth can also cause other health conditions such as:
Temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are tiny joints located on either side of your jaw. If your jaws are not aligned, a lot of stress can be felt in the jaw, which leads to TMJ pain. This can cause some people to experience headaches and facial pain.
Crooked teeth can increase your probability of accidentally biting the soft tissues in your mouth. This makes you prone to recurrent and painful mouth sores. While this mostly happens on the sides of your cheeks, your tongue can also be affected.
The good news is that fixing your crooked teeth is not an impossible task. However, it requires a lot of patience on your side. Did you know that aligning your teeth is one of the best investments you can make for yourself? While the procedure can be very expensive, it is all worth it.
Maybe you have always ignored the idea of straightening your teeth because you thought it only impacted your appearance, hence not worth spending that much money on. However, it is worth understanding that this is an investment in your overall health. Also, note that whereas the cost of aligning your teeth may be high, this is nothing compared to the amount of money you will spend correcting and repairing problems caused by crooked teeth in the future.
One of the main perks of having straight teeth is that it will make it easier to clean them. Aligned teeth also tend to shed stuck food faster, thus avoiding bacteria build-up.
Having correctly aligned teeth is the key to preventing pain in the head, jaw, and neck.
Your mouth opens up to the rest of your body. Every time you ingest something, the bacteria built in your mouth finds its way to your bloodstream. Without proper alignment of your teeth, your mouth can turn into a fertile breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Once the bacteria get to your bloodstream, they can cause secondary infections in your body. Scientific research has established that the bacteria in your mouth can potentially lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, among many other illnesses.
As mentioned prior, having aligned teeth makes it easier for you to practice good oral hygiene, which helps you get rid of plaque. Plaque is the main cause of inflammation and infection of the gums. In its first stages, gum disease is commonly known as gingivitis. It is often characterized by red, very swollen, and bleeding gums.
If not treated early, gingivitis advances to periodontitis, which is a more severe form of gum disease. The condition often leads to tooth loss. Gum disease has been known to cause other health conditions such as premature birth, heart complications, and strokes.
Achieving the perfect bite allows you to not only chew but also speak properly. Productive chewing will help you enjoy your favorite balanced meals, thus improving your overall health.
In addition to all the mentioned physical benefits, your emotional and psychological well-being is also important. Most people are very cautious about speaking in public because of misaligned teeth. For some, this low self-worth may lead to mild to severe cases of depression, which is, in turn, linked to other health conditions such as high blood pressure and cardiac arrest.
As seen in the discussion above, the importance of having aligned teeth goes way beyond achieving a beautiful smile. Having correctly aligned teeth can improve your oral hygiene, your ability to chew properly, and your overall mental well-being.
If you have questions about aligning your teeth, we welcome you to speak with one of our trained and experienced staff or our board-certified dentists at Palmetto Dental Arts. You can also call us on 843-790-7211 or contact us online today to book your first appointment! While at it, check out our blog for other interesting dental articles.