7 Crooked Teeth Problems That Need Orthodontic Treatment

Crooked teeth can lead to so much more than just a crooked smile.

Crooked teeth, more often than not, come with an array of problems besides giving you an unsightly smile. When you have crooked teeth considering orthodontic treatment is a smart move not just so you can have a perfectly straight smile, but also to avoid other serious problems that are associated with it.

Here are some problems that can occur due to crooked teeth that can be fixed with orthodontic treatment:

1. Speech Problems

People with crooked teeth have problems pronouncing words. When we speak, the sound is created when the tongue curls and presses the lips against the teeth. But if the teeth are crooked, the speaking pattern gets distorted and the sound doesn’t come out right.

2. Bad Breath Problems or Halitosis

Crooked teeth can cause halitosis or bad breath. If you have bad breath even after using loads of mouth wash and gum, brushing twice a day and keeping your oral hygiene routine in check, this might be a problem because of your crooked teeth.

Crooked teeth are harder to clean as the toothbrush cannot reach the nooks and crannies of your mouth causing a buildup of bacteria in these areas, resulting in bad breath.

3. Gum Diseases

Since it is difficult to clean crooked teeth, the buildup of bacteria and plaque around your teeth can also lead to gum disease.

Gum diseases or periodontitis can lead to more severe problems, like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and pneumonia.

4. Difficulty in Chewing and Digestion

Misaligned teeth can make it difficult for you to chew your food normally. Chewing is the first step of the digestion process.

If because of your crooked teeth you are unable to chew or break down food properly, your digestion process is not effectively stimulated, since chewing is the first step of the digestion process.

This means that the digestive fluids and enzymes are not properly triggered to do their job in the digestive process. Leading to uncomfortable, and potentially continuous, digestion issues unless the misaligned teeth are treated.

5. Excess Wear and Tear

Misaligned teeth can cause excess wear and tear of your teeth, gums and jaw muscles. This can lead to serious problems such as jaw disorders, temporomandibular joint disorder and chronic headaches.

6. Worn Out Tooth Enamel

People with misaligned teeth often grind and clench their teeth, which can cause erosion of the tooth enamel.

The function of the tooth enamel is to protect the teeth from bacterial buildup that can cause tooth decay. Wearing out the tooth enamel because of constant clenching and grinding of teeth make the teeth vulnerable to bacteria buildup and plague, thereby causing tooth decay.

7. Social Problems

Having crooked teeth can severely impact your success and social life. Having crooked teeth changes the way you smile. You become more self-conscious and less confident about yourself.

Add to it the speech and bad breath problems. Crooked teeth can harm your self-confidence, making it difficult for you to socialize.

On the flip side, a nice set of straight teeth gives you a beautiful and confident smile that draws people towards you. That’s good for both your confidence and self-esteem.

Takeaway

If you think getting a braces treatment is just for aesthetic reasons, then think again. Getting your teeth straightened can have a significant, long-lasting impact on your whole life!

Getting an appointment with your orthodontist to evaluate the course of action for you doesn't have to be scary. After the evaluation, the orthodontist will recommend the right type of braces for you from the many options (metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign, and many more) available.

For more practice management insights, read on here!

Author Bio:

Creating perfect smiles is what Dr. Satish Pai is committed to. An orthodontist by profession, he believes that a perfect smile is a powerful part of a person’s personality. When he is not working hard on perfecting his patients’ smiles at Putnam Ortho, he is busy writing engaging articles about everything related to healthy and perfect smiles. His other passions include golf, yoga and surfing. Spending time with his family always brings a smile on his face.