If you are thinking about orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign or Six Month Smiles, you are probably focused on the esthetic result. It’s exciting to think about smiling again with confidence!
While esthetics are important, you probably haven’t given much thought to the long-term health effects of orthodontic treatment. It’s true that treatment can dramatically alter your appearance, but straighter teeth also result in a healthier smile.
You already know that crooked teeth have a negative impact on the appearance of your smile. But many patients in Manhattan Beach who are interested in finding an Invisalign dentist may not realize how a misaligned smile impacts overall oral health. Here are a few examples of oral health problems related to crooked or crowded teeth.
Difficulty Cleaning: If you don’t have clean teeth, you don’t have a healthy smile. Proper oral hygiene is essential if you want to enjoy a lifetime free of dental problems. Crooked or crowded teeth make it difficult to practice good oral hygiene because you may not be able to floss between them. This puts you at risk for decay and periodontal disease.
Additional Orthodontic Problems: When one or more teeth are crooked or crowded, surrounding teeth start to shift as well. Your teeth are constantly moving, and as the root of a crooked tooth tilts to one side or the other, adjacent teeth follow. Putting off treatment may result in increased orthodontic problems down the road.
Dental Bite: If you have untreated orthodontic issues, you can end up with a misaligned dental bite. This means that teeth on one side of your mouth bite down harder on one side than the other. This can lead to a variety of problems including excess wear on teeth, jaw pain, and even TMJ.
Why risk your good oral health with a crooked smile? With all the great adult orthodontics available today, there’s no reason to live with a smile you don’t love. Please call our office and we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation with our dentist.
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