Our smiles say a lot about us: what we love, what we find funny, etc. Our smiles can say a lot about our oral health as well. If you have crooked teeth, you could be at a higher risk for several dental issues, including gum disease.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues of the gums. In its early stage, gum disease causes bleeding or inflammation of the gums. Generally, dentists refer to this as gingivitis because the gingiva or the gum tissue becomes infected. If caught early, you can reverse the effects of gingivitis. However, gum disease can continue to become an issue and cause significant damage to your oral environment.
Without treatment, gum disease will continue to progress. The gums may begin to recede, exposing much of the tooth’s root. This can increase the chances of tooth decay. As the gums recede, the tooth becomes less stable. As a result, the teeth can loosen or even fall out. Another serious issue is that the gums can continue to decay, affecting the bone. Advanced gum disease can cause the jaw bones to deteriorate.
Poor Oral Health
The connection between crooked teeth and gum disease lies in poor oral health. Crooked teeth can affect your ability to clean your teeth properly. When the teeth are misaligned, brushing and flossing your teeth may be ineffective or difficult. This is because your teeth can turn, making the surfaces of your teeth hard to reach with a toothbrush or floss. Even if you receive regular dental cleanings, plaque can still build in these areas. Unfortunately, this can cause dental issues like tooth decay or gum disease.
If there is an area that you can’t reach, the plaque will continue to build unless a professional removes it. However, the plaque can harden and turn to plaque. Both plaque and tartar buildup can cause gum disease.
Other Concerns
Although your oral health is a major concern when it comes to crooked teeth, there are other issues that can arise.
Worn Teeth
If your teeth are crooked, it can cause certain parts of your teeth to wear prematurely. This can happen when you have to put more pressure on one of your teeth compared to others. Worn teeth can make it hard to chew your food efficiently, which can impede the digestion of food. Additionally, worn teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay because the enamel is thinner.
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a condition that affects the mobility of the jaw joint, muscles, or ligaments. If you have crooked teeth, it can influence the way you open and close your mouth. When this happens, you can damage the cartilage in your joint, causing pain. Over time, this can create a deformity or TMJ.
Tooth Decay
Because crooked teeth make it difficult to clean, it can also increase the risk of tooth decay. This occurs when plaque builds and destroys your enamel. Over time, you will develop small pits on the surface of your teeth, otherwise known as cavities. For repair, you will need to go to your dentist for a dental filling.