Cosmetic dental procedures like Invisalign, gum contouring, and dental crowns can make your smile look and feel better, but they can also improve your oral health. Overcrowded, crooked, and broken teeth are more difficult to clean and may even indicate a problem beneath the gums. While these may seem like simply cosmetic problems, fixing them can help you improve your oral health by stabilizing your smile and making it easier to take care of your teeth. Learn more about restorative dentistry with Sandy Springs, GA health-centered dental office Proud Smiles.
Restorative Dentistry Reduces Gum Disease Risk
Overcrowded or crooked teeth may be a sign of deeper problems beneath the gums. Teeth can shift in your mouth and may become overcrowded if there’s no room for them to go. When teeth have moved too close together, they can crack or fracture. This crowding of your teeth can bring on pain and, if left untreated, eventually infection.
Crooked, chipped, or broken teeth are also challenging to clean. If teeth are not cleaned properly, plaque will form between teeth and along the gum line and begin to erode tooth enamel. Also, your gums can become infected and inflamed, pulling away from your teeth and causing them to be less stable. What’s more, progressive gum disease is linked to systemic health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
Ensure Your Teeth Wear Evenly
If teeth are not aligned properly, over time they will wear unevenly and cause premature tooth decay or pain. A common cause for excess tooth wear is an uneven bite, which could be the result of an overbite, underbite, a jaw injury, crooked or missing teeth, or even an uneven crown or molding fit. Simple treatments can address these issues and prevent tooth wear before it becomes a serious problem.
Excess tooth wear can lead to several more serious dental health concerns because teeth can be worn down to the more sensitive layers beneath the enamel, called the dentin, and dentin erodes even faster and more painfully than enamel once it’s exposed. If left untreated, a person’s teeth can be worn down to their stumps, meaning that bridges, crowns, root canals, implants and even dentures may be necessary to remedy the issue.
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.
Restorative Dentistry in Sandy Springs, GA
Restorative and cosmetic dentist Dr. Brenda Paulen is an experienced dentist who offers many different types of conservative, effective treatments to fit your needs. Schedule a consultation with our office today to find out what restorative treatments can help you achieve the most healthy, beautiful smile.