Most people assume that the only reason teeth are corrected is for cosmetic purposes. However, while having a straight smile is nice, there are other more important reasons. In some instances, an overbite, underbite, or crowded jaw can significantly impact one’s life.
Below, we are going to take a look at seven different health issues that are caused by crooked teeth:
Let’s get started.
Speech Difficulties
When your teeth are crooked, you may have trouble annunciating certain words. This is because excess air can pass between your teeth, causing a speech impediment. By getting braces or undergoing Invisalign treatment, you may be able to reduce or eliminate this altogether. However, it does depend on a few factors, including the impediment’s severity and your jaw placement.
Periodontal Disease
When you’re brushing your teeth, it’s hard to reach all of the nooks and crannies when they aren’t perfectly aligned. This means food can get caught, and plaque can build up rather quickly. The more the bacteria grows, the more likely you are to develop periodontal disease, which can cause bleeding, tender gums, and even lead to tooth loss.
Digestion Issues
Food needs to be broken down into small pieces so that our stomach can metabolize it easily. It also reduces stress on the esophagus. With crowded teeth, you might not be able to do this correctly, which can cause a variety of painful digestive problems.
Bad Breath
If you have bad breath, having crooked teeth may be the cause of it. As mentioned above, plaque and bacteria are more likely to grow, which can lead to halitosis. By correcting your teeth and improving your oral health, you can eliminate it altogether.
Wear and Tear
When your teeth are misaligned, they can rub together, which causes wear and tear on your enamel. This makes them weak and susceptible to breakage in the future. It can also cause chronic headaches, which can certainly be challenging to live with.
TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder causes severe jaw pain, including frequent popping and locking. Similar to above, it’s caused by wear and tear but on the hinge joint. Crooked teeth are one of the leading causes of this condition, but it can also appear from poor posture, stress, anxiety, and excessive gum chewing. While you may be able to treat it with at-home techniques, it’s still worth speaking to an orthodontist for their professional opinion. You can read more information here.
Self-Esteem
Finally, the last thing that may be impacted by crooked teeth is your self-esteem. Some of the issues above can reduce your confidence, which can damage your mental health and wellbeing. Having a bright smile can give you the boost you need to get back out there and try new things.
While you should always embrace your natural self and love who you are, there’s nothing wrong with changing something (especially if it’s impacting your physical health). So, don’t ever be ashamed about your final decision.
This post was last modified on November 12, 2022 1:35 am