Crooked teeth don’t just affect a person’s smile and self-confidence - they also present several health implications if ignored. Our leading cosmetic dentist in Rochester reviews the problems that crooked teeth can cause.

When teeth are crooked, it’s much harder to get a toothbrush and floss into the nooks and crannies that are easily accessible otherwise. The consequence is bacteria and plaque build-up, leading to problems with gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.

Misaligned teeth equate to gums that don’t fit snugly around the teeth, like they’re supposed to. This creates gaps where there shouldn’t be any, giving bacteria additional sensitive places in which to grow and gradually deplete the gums. Periodontal disease is the likely outcome if the teeth aren’t straightened.

Here we use the word “mouth” to include the gum, teeth, and jaw. Crooked teeth equate to a misaligned bite, which puts more pressure on the teeth, bones, and jaw muscles and leads to frequent pain in the mouth. Stress is also placed on the gums, which causes them to often be sore. The inside of the cheek is also susceptible to damage if the person’s overbite or underbite scrapes against or pinches into the inner cheek’s soft tissue.

Beyond the obvious aesthetic implications, a person with crooked teeth who’s uncomfortable smiling misses out on the health benefits a smile offers: namely, a reduction in stress level and an ability to think clearer.

One of the most common reasons why Circle Drive Dental patients want dental veneers is to obscure tooth staining or discoloration. One cause of this is a deterioration of tooth enamel, which can be caused by crooked teeth. A misaligned bite will gradually erode the enamel, as will bruxism/tooth grinding that’s exacerbated because of crooked teeth. Not only will the enamel erode, there’s also a possibility of it chipping and eventually breaking entirely.

As mentioned above, having crooked teeth often leads to a bite problem. This in turn makes it harder for a person with misaligned teeth to chew food. The ramifications here are two-fold: for one, improperly-chewed food could increase a person’s chances of choking. Also, food that isn’t chewed and broken down completely will increase the amount of bacteria and other chemicals on the teeth and gums, making a person more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.

A person who neglects to care for his mouth opens himself up to health problems in other parts of the body. Crooked teeth and the infections that accompany them raise a person’s risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and pneumonia. Problems that begin in the mouth can quickly spread to other parts of the body, especially since the mouth consists largely of soft, relatively unprotected tissue.

If you suffer from crooked teeth or another dental problem, the good news is that our experienced team will have you on the road to recovery in no time. With solutions like Invisalign and clear braces, we can straighten your teeth and return your oral health to a high level.