Fixing crooked teeth isn’t just about creating a beautiful smile. There are numerous mental and physical effects of crooked or otherwise misshapen teeth that you may not be aware of. Those with unsightly teeth typically experience some or all of the following problems daily. Most of them are so adopted to changing the way they speak and smile that they don’t even realize these problems can be fixed.
Keep on reading to discover the eight ways crooked teeth can affect both your physical and mental health.
1. Improper bite
People with underbites, overbites, or gapped teeth often aren’t able to bite properly. These include issues like the inability to cut through a cucumber in a sandwich or properly bite off a piece of cake. An improper bite can cause you to put excessive pressure on your molars, which can ultimately result in them chipping or breaking. In severe cases, difficulty chewing due to bite problems can lead to a choking hazard by causing big pieces of food to get stuck in your throat.
2. TMJ
Your jaw is connected to your skull with the temporomandibular joint. TMJ is a disorder caused by a misalignment of the upper and lower jaws. It's marked by a clicking of the jaw, headaches from clenching your teeth, pain, and a variety of other medical and dental health problems. Consider visiting a reputable TMJ treatment center, to get a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Regardless of your symptoms’ source, an experienced dental specialist will do everything possible to address it accordingly.
3. Improper formation of specific sounds
Forming sounds like "c," "s," "k," and "t" can become extremely difficult if you have misaligned teeth. This may result in you avoiding public speaking or experiencing more anxiety during job interviews than you normally do.
4. Decreased self-esteem
Those with crooked teeth don’t necessarily have low self-esteem. You’re more attractive when you smile, regardless of your teeth being straight, misshapen, or missing entirely. However, straightening your teeth with Invisalign or traditional braces may increase your self-confidence even further.
5. Difficulty brushing and flossing
Certain tooth surfaces may be obstructed if your teeth are crooked, making it practically impossible to clean them with a toothbrush. Because crooked teeth have smaller spaces between them, flossing may also be more difficult. Both of these factors can cause tooth discoloration, dental decay, cavities, gingivitis, or other kinds of periodontal disease.
6. Unnatural chewing
To help you chew properly, your teeth should fit together meticulously. If your molars are misaligned, you may chew on only a half of a tooth or teeth that lack proper sharpness. You may also be self-conscious about how you look when chewing. As a result, your rear teeth may weaken and become more susceptible to chipping.
7. Lower confidence in your smile
Those with crooked teeth may be hesitant to smile in public or may find themselves pressing their lips together when laughing. That's no way to live. For a better quality of life, you should be able to smile and laugh freely.
8. Increased risk of decay and gum disease
Crooked teeth are associated with a higher risk of tooth decay and damage. This is true for a variety of reasons, including:
- Difficulty brushing your teeth
- Difficulty flossing
- Excessive pressure on your molars
- Hitting your molars improperly when chewing
The bottom line
If you have crooked, misaligned, or misshapen teeth and experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, don’t let them persist and visit a dental specialist right away. Your dentist will determine their precise cause and prescribe adequate treatment to prevent irreparable damage to your dental and overall health.
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