Straighter teeth perform chewing, biting and speaking functions more effectively than crooked teeth.  In addition, a straight smile boosts confidence, is aesthetically pleasing to look at, and can help stave off a wide variety of dental ailments.

There are several types of malocclusion including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding.  Each of these alignment problems negatively impacts the functionality and cosmetic appearance of the teeth.

Here is a brief overview of some of the main disorders associated with crooked teeth:

Periodontitis – Periodontitis or gum disease begins with a bacterial infection.  The bacterial infection is caused by inadequate oral hygiene.  Crooked teeth are hard to clean effectively, which means that debris, plaque and bacteria can build up in hard-to-reach areas.  Straight teeth are much easier to clean and are at less risk of contracting gum disease.

Temporo Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder - Crooked teeth can lead to improper jaw alignment, which in turn can frequently cause a painful condition known as TMJ disorder. Grinding of teeth, severe headaches, jaw pain and lockjaw characterize this debilitating disorder

Tooth injury – Straight teeth creates a strong wall, which means injuries are less likely to occur.  Crooked teeth are weaker and often protrude, making them far more vulnerable to external injury.

Uneven wear – Crooked teeth cause some of the teeth to work harder than others when biting and chewing. Straight teeth share the workload evenly, meaning less risk of injury, better aesthetics and normal, even wear, as well as improved periodontal (gum) health. Gum health improves because straight teeth offer more tooth surfaces accessible for cleaning.

If you have questions about straightening your teeth, please contact the doctors at Solana Family Dental.