A smile is worth its weight in gold. A crooked smile will turn any grin into a grimace. Straight teeth are not just for appearance. They also provide a much healthier mouth. Crooked teeth result from too little or too much force applied to the teeth. They may result from a genetic disorder or trauma to the mouth as a child. Some people are lucky enough to have perfectly straight teeth, while others have the problem of teeth that stick out or point inward. Whatever condition they are in, crooked teeth can be corrected with orthodontic treatment and provide some benefits. Corrective dentistry can help bring ugly teeth into the sunshine. Here are some problems associated with crooked teeth.
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Gum Disease
The gums rest right at the base of the teeth. When teeth are crooked, it can cause a lot of pressure on the gums and increase the risk for gum disease. Infections from bacteria in saliva can enter your mouth through the damaged gum tissue and even cause tooth decay. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, usually does not cause pain. But it is a silent killer that can lead to tooth loss. The bacteria in your mouth secrete toxins and acids that damage the teeth’ bones, causing pockets between the gum and tooth. To prevent gum disease and tooth loss, you can brush and floss your teeth and have regular dental cleanings. You should also see a dentist for regular checkups to catch problems before they become serious.
Crooked Teeth Wear Out Faster
When teeth are crooked, it can pinch the opposing tooth and cause stress. Over time, this can make your teeth wear out faster and increase the risk of a cavity or dental injury. It’s like rubbing two sandpaper surfaces, one rough and one smooth. Eventually, the rough surface will wear down the smooth surface. A dentist will usually try to straighten as many teeth as possible simultaneously. This helps preserve tooth structure. The dentist will check the bite, or fit of the teeth together, to see if they are properly aligned. The dentist may also have a patient wear an orthotic or mouthguard to keep teeth from wearing out too quickly. To preserve tooth structure, a dentist may perform a gentle scaling treatment. This is when a dentist will lightly sand the edges of teeth worn down rather than remove the entire tooth. Scaling helps keep the tooth in place and prevents damage from wearing down teeth too quickly.
It’s Tough To Chew Gum
The jaws are designed to hold your teeth in place. When the jaw is damaged or affected by trauma, it can cause the teeth to be out of place and make chewing challenging. During chewing, your teeth are supposed to move back and forth against each other. When they are crooked, this process is harder to accomplish. This can cause your bite to be inconsistent and disrupt your chewing process. You may experience pain when eating certain foods if the bite is off. A misaligned jaw can also be one of the causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. This condition is characterized by pain in the jaw, which is often associated with an increased incidence of tooth grinding. This condition often causes wear on the teeth, making them uneven and crooked.
Frequent Headaches
When teeth are crooked, they can affect the way the jaw alignment is formed and cause headaches. An off-center bite can pressure a nerve, which travels through the neck to the brain. This can cause headaches or even migraines. Some patients notice this when eating certain foods, like hard pretzels or ice cream. It can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications and sometimes orthodontic treatment to correct an issue where the bite isn’t correctly aligned. Nerve pressure on the front and side of the jaw can cause headaches. When the jaw is misaligned, it may push on nerves from the ear or face. This can cause pain in these areas and lead to headaches. These conditions are common in children but may also occur in adults.
Cavities
Crooked teeth have tight spaces between them. Food and bacteria can easily become trapped in these areas. Brushing these areas is more challenging. Over time, bacteria produce acids that can leach minerals from the surrounding teeth causing cavities to form. Bacteria can also irritate the gums, creating a painful experience for patients. A dentist will perform cleaning by scaling and then polishing the teeth and surfaces of the mouth. The dentist may also prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash to rinse debris and kill any remaining bacteria to prevent future cavities. The crooked teeth treatment process will also repair the surfaces and remove any remaining bacteria.
Psychological Effects
Crooked teeth can be very embarrassing. They can affect your self-confidence and even cause you to be a target for bullies at school. Bad teeth take away the natural beauty of a smile. Aesthetics play a significant role in our society, but it is possible to fix the problem and regain your smile. Patients may not experience these symptoms if they have a mild case of crooked teeth. The psychological effects are more common in patients with severe problems that affect how they chew, talk, and smile for the rest of their lives. Orthodontic treatment is one of the most effective ways to correct these problems. After crooked teeth treatment is complete, patients can learn to deal with the psychological effect.
How a Trained Holistic Dentist Can Help
Don’t hesitate to visit a dentist if you suffer from a crooked grin. They can help align your imperfect smile with precision care and professional treatments. They will look at how all the parts of your teeth fit together and how the bite is aligned. They will then design a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Treatment for crooked teeth is an exacting process that requires a dedicated doctor with years of experience and training. More than just straightening teeth, the dentist will make the area surrounding the tooth smooth and new, which makes swallowing easier. A well-trained holistic dentist offers a wide selection of preventive treatment options to keep your smile healthy. This includes preventative fillings, polishing, whitening, or even traditional root canal therapy to save a badly damaged tooth. After crooked teeth treatment, you will have a new and beautiful smile and an overall healthier mouth for life.
Find a Holistic dentist in Beverly Hills
How to Choose the Right Dentist for You
Finding the right dentist for crooked teeth treatment is a complex process. Assess your oral health needs. An informed patient will ask questions and research the different holistic dentistry practices in their area. This will give them an idea of what they can expect from their new dentist and how treatment for crooked teeth is done. The most important thing to consider when choosing a dentist is making sure they are registered with the American Dental Association. A patient will want to look for a dentist member of the American Dental Association, the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry), or the Canadian Dental Association. The easiest way is by asking around or doing an online search. At Smileangels, we have a team of skilled and experienced dentists registered with the American Dental Association. They have been trained in the latest natural approaches to dental care and offer a wide range of treatments that can change your smile from crooked to straight teeth. Our experienced holistic dentist will ensure treatment for crooked teeth in the most comfortable way possible. They will also educate you about caring for your teeth at home to ensure long-lasting results.
Patients with crooked teeth may suffer from a vast number of health problems. The dentist can determine if you have any of these issues and whether or not you need treatment. Patients should consult a dentist if they are bothered by their smile, feel discomfort in their mouth, or experience pain during meals. If you need treatment for crooked teeth, consult Smileangels. Our dentists and orthodontists will help you get a straight smile.