There is no denying the cosmetic impact of a beautiful grin—a healthy smile speaks for itself! But orthodontic treatment isn’t just about your confidence; an aligned bite and straight teeth keep your whole mouth and body healthy. Misalignment can be both a sign and a cause of other problems, including temporomandibular joint disorders, gum disease, and tooth decay. Read on to learn more about how orthodontics impacts your health.
Issues linked to your smile
Problems like crowding and malocclusions are common among children, adolescents, and adults. Since these are more than just aesthetic issues, choosing experts, like Dr. Hutta and Dr. Price, for your treatment is crucial. By working with expert orthodontists, you can avoid a host of oral health problems and enjoy a healthy, happy smile. Some of the many issues linked to crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth include:
- Poor oral hygiene
When teeth are misaligned and crowded, they are harder to clean. Poor hygiene can cause plaque build-up, cavities, bad breath, and tooth decay.
- Gum disease
When oral hygiene slips, patients can develop gingivitis (gum disease). This inflammatory disease leads to gum bleeding, swelling, and pain. Over time, it can even lead to a serious infection that could enter your bloodstream, damage the bone, and lead to tooth loss.
- Speech problems
Talking requires you to make precise movements with your jaw, mouth, and tongue in relation to your teeth. Orthodontic issues can impact your speech and enunciation.
- Trouble chewing
Crooked teeth or a bad bite can make chewing more difficult. In turn, this can lead to indigestion and discomfort.
- Airway
A crowded mouth often goes hand in hand with a small jaw or palate, a combination that can impact breathing. When the dental arch is narrow, the tongue may not have space to sit comfortably in the mouth. The tongue may slide back and obstruct breathing while sleeping. Airway issues like sleep apnea are serious problems that can increase the risk for a stroke or heart attack.
- TMJ disorders
Patients with a bad bite may have excess pressure on their temporomandibular joints (TMJ), leading to TMJ dysfunction. This painful condition can cause dull to intense pain, locking and popping, stiffness, and even migraines. Correcting crooked teeth and bad bites may reduce your risk for TMJ disorders and help alleviate symptoms.
Get your best smile yet
At Hutta & Price Orthodontics, we want to help our patients get a confident and healthy smile. If you want to improve your smile’s function and aesthetics, our experts can walk you through your treatment options at a complimentary first consultation. Schedule an appointment and take the first steps towards an unstoppable smile!