Crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth aren’t just cosmetic problems. If you’ve considered cosmetic dentistry to restore your smile but wonder if it’s worth the investment, you might want to know about the health reasons to correct crooked teeth. Some issues that seem only cosmetic can actually negatively impact your health.
Dr. Brenda Paulen is a Sandy Springs, GA dentist who specializes in health-centered, patient-focused dentistry to give you the smile — and health — you deserve.
Ensure Your Teeth Wear Evenly
You may not think about teeth as being able to wear on each other, but teeth that are not aligned properly can actually cause uneven wear and premature tooth decay. A common cause of excess tooth wear is an uneven bite. Misaligned or missing teeth, an overbite or underbite, a jaw injury, or even an uneven crown or molding fit can cause uneven tooth wear.
Uneven tooth wear is a problem because teeth can wear down to the sensitive layers beneath the enamel, causing tooth decay. Exposing these sensitive tissues causes even faster erosion and additional pain. If left untreated, teeth can wear down to their stumps, which may require complicated dental procedures to fix.
Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
Crooked teeth can be a sign of existing gum disease or they can even cause tooth decay. Teeth can shift in the mouth and become overcrowded due to gum disease, and when teeth are overcrowded they are more difficult to clean. This only exacerbates the problem.
Crooked, chipped, or even missing teeth are harder to clean properly, and may affect the stability of surrounding teeth. When teeth are not cleaned, plaque builds up along the gum line and can begin to erode tooth enamel and infect the gums. In addition, gum disease is linked to systemic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and psoriasis.
Improve Overall Health
Gum disease is linked to overall health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s. An uneven bite, fractured or overcrowded teeth, or even missing teeth can lead to gum disease simply due to the fact that they are more difficult to clean. Correcting what seems like a cosmetic problem can actually keep your body healthy.
Improve Your Smile in Sandy Springs, GA
Dr. Paulen is an experienced, compassionate dentist who offers many different types of conservative, effective treatments to fit your needs. Schedule a consultation with our office today to keep your smile healthy and your confidence high!