Crooked teeth can be caused by various factors, including a hereditary tendency to severe facial injuries, early loss of baby teeth, or lousy childhood behaviors such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and excessive use of a dummy. Having crooked teeth might make you feel self-conscious and cause you to frown.
When you have unaligned teeth, it affects not just how you look, but also how you feel. If you have crooked teeth, it is better to contact a family dentist to improve your smile. You should be aware that this condition can cause a variety of health issues. Here is a list of eight ways your misaligned teeth are impacting your health.
1. Cleaning crooked teeth is challenging
Cleaning all of the little nooks and crevices between your teeth is difficult at the best of times. When you have crooked teeth, your toothbrush and floss have a much more difficult time cleaning the spaces between your teeth. As a result, there is a rise in bacteria growth, plaque buildup, and an increased risk of oral disorders.
2. You can get gum disease
Since it is more difficult to clean between your teeth when you have crooked teeth, you are far more likely to get gum disease. When your teeth are crowded or crooked, germs and plaque have more opportunities to thrive and cause inflammation in the gums.
3. You can be more prone to tooth decay
As mentioned above, cleaning all surfaces of your teeth with a brush or floss may be challenging if you have crooked teeth. Even mouthwash has trouble reaching all of the locations where plaque and germs build up. Increased bacteria means more infection and cavities as well. Straightening your teeth can make them simpler to clean, prevent cavities, and enhance your dental health.
4. You may have extremely worn tooth enamel
Bottom teeth that are crowded or crooked frequently cause one or more teeth to protrude and rub against your upper teeth. This can result in excessive dental enamel wear over time. Furthermore, if you have bruxism (or tooth grinding) while sleeping, your misaligned teeth are more likely to snag on each other, potentially causing enamel erosion, chipping, and even fractured teeth.
5. You can have bad breath
The spaces between your teeth may be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can stink up your mouth when it accumulates. Bacteria that release toxins and unpleasant-smelling substances are the most prevalent cause of persistent bad breath. You may try to counteract this by using mouthwash and breath freshening products, but the best method to prevent bad breath is to fix the problem.
6. You may have an increased risk of broken tooth
Crooked teeth place additional tension on the jaw, jaw muscles, and the teeth themselves. If your jaw is regularly stretched, you will undoubtedly notice it over time. Jaw muscle strain can cause pain and put too much pressure on the teeth, increasing the risk of breaking. When you break a tooth, you must cope with the discomfort as well as the high cost of dental care.
7. Impacted overall health
Few people know that dental problems can have far-reaching consequences beyond their oral health. Some studies have shown that bacteria-caused oral infections can lead to more serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and pneumonia.
8. You can develop problems with self-esteem
Crooked teeth and misaligned bites can have a severe impact on your mental health. This is especially true for kids and teenagers who are often taunted by their classmates about their teeth. Crooked teeth might also make you feel less beautiful and confident, affecting how you communicate with others.
