Cavities, jaw pain, teeth grinding, and other oral health issues are quite common. General dentistry services can manage such problems and prevent them from having a big impact on your daily life. However, if such issues keep recurring despite diligent care, dental misalignment may be to blame. This blog post examines how misalignment can damage your oral and overall health and how orthodontic treatment may serve as a solution.
Cavities
Cavities occur when plaque, an acidic biofilm, forms on the teeth. Excessive sugar consumption largely contributes to plaque formation. Nonetheless, dental misalignment can also play a role in cavity development. Misaligned teeth may hinder thorough brushing and flossing, allowing food particles and bacteria to accumulate in hard-to-reach areas, leading to spots of decay. Braces or clear aligners can reposition the teeth in a way that makes them easier to clean and maintain.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the soft pink tissue at the base of the teeth. It is associated with bad breath, tooth loss, and several systemic health conditions, including heart attack and dementia. Like cavities, it is caused by plaque and bacteria. Orthodontic treatment can facilitate better gumline hygiene, thereby reducing the risk of infections.
Jaw Pain
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located in front of the ears, control movements of the lower jaw. Improperly aligned teeth and jaws can place excessive stress on the TMJs, causing inflammation, jaw pain, and other symptoms of TMJ disorder (TMD). Aligning the bite and teeth through orthodontic treatment can help prevent or alleviate this condition.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, often occurs during sleep and can lead to severe enamel wear and jaw pain. A misaligned bite frequently contributes to bruxism. Orthodontic intervention can address this issue, thereby preserving the integrity of your smile.
Chipped and Broken Teeth
Misaligned teeth may contact each other at unusual angles, increasing the risk of breakage. Orthodontic treatment can harmonize the alignment of your teeth, reducing the likelihood of damage.
Overall Health Problems
Misaligned teeth can have big consequences for your overall health. For example, because your mouth is a crucial part of your upper airway, misalignment may affect your ability to breathe properly, especially during sleep. Another example has to do with digestion. When your teeth are not properly aligned, you may not be able to chew food thoroughly. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment is able to help with such issues in many cases.
Orthodontic treatment may be able to do more than straighten your smile; it may also improve your oral and overall health!
Meet the Practice
At Healthy Smiles Dental Care, our team of experts is proud to offer a range of general and specialty dental services, including Invisalign clear aligners. If you are concerned about how dental misalignment may be affecting your oral health, we would be pleased to evaluate the situation and advise you on your next steps. Contact our Chelsea office at 734-475-8911.