The Dangers of a Crooked Smile

Think the biggest problem with your crooked smile is the way you look? Turns out those crooked teeth can cause oral health problems as well. Read on to find out more.

Having a crooked smile might cause frustration when you glance in the mirror. But your lopsided grin isn’t a problem because of how you look — it’s a problem because of the oral health issues that may result.

Here at C & C Dental in Sugar Land, Texas, our experienced dentists see dozens of smiles every month that need straightening. To help convince you not to put off fixing your smile any longer, here are a few dangers of a crooked smile.

Greater risk of gum disease

When teeth are crooked, it’s more difficult to brush them properly. Flossing is more difficult, too, because there’s little space between the teeth in many cases.

This poor cleaning can result in debris building up, thus attracting more bacteria and causing plaque to form and harden on your teeth. Plaque eventually hardens into tartar, which can penetrate your gum tissue and lead to gum disease.

Biting and chewing issues

If your smile is misaligned, the bite forces in your mouth aren’t properly distributed, and your upper or lower teeth may protrude, making it harder for you to chew certain foods. Not chewing your food thoroughly can lead to digestion issues and increase the risk of choking.

Bad breath

Because crooked teeth are a haven for bacteria, you may have to deal with the bad breath that results from elevated bacteria levels in your mouth. Mouthwash and mints may help mask the issue, but the best solution is to address the underlying problem — crooked teeth.

Straighten your teeth and watch your bad breath disappear (well, you’ll still have morning breath).

Broken teeth and headaches

With crooked teeth, your uneven bite can lead to pressure in your jaw and head. Continuous excess strain can lead to broken teeth and painful headaches.

TMJ disorder

An unaligned smile could also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a painful jaw condition that can place stress on your jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. TMJ results from too much wear-and-tear on your jaw and hinge joint; jaw popping and locking are symptoms.

If you’re ready to do something about your crooked smile, the team at C & C Dental is here to guide your transformation with cosmetic dental services that include Invisalign® clear plastic aligners, a discreet option to straighten your teeth.

To learn more about transforming your smile and oral health, call the C & C Dental office today at 281-242-0241 or book your appointment online.