The reason why dentists need so much education and experience to treat patients is because of how complicated the mouth is. One aspect of oral health connects to another, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious to someone who hasn’t studied it.
If you find yourself dealing with a chronic oral health problem, you may wonder if there’s an underlying issue that could be the root cause. Often, that underlying issue is the alignment of your teeth. Here are a few oral health problems that can be fixed by orthodontic intervention.
Bite Problems
If you find that you often grind your teeth, or that you experience random pain when opening or closing your mouth, it may be due to an underlying issue with the alignment of your jaw. In particular, the two joints that connect your jaw to the rest of your face, known as the Temporomandibular joints, may have come out of alignment.
These joints are fairly small, meaning that being hit in the face or chronically grinding your teeth can put more pressure on them than they can take. In certain instances, this can cause them to shift, leading to an uncomfortable condition known as a TMJ disorder. If you think you may be dealing with this issue, talk to your dentist about if an oral appliance could help.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is incredibly common, with nearly half of adults in the U.S. having it to some extent. Gum disease is caused primarily by bacteria from plaque buildup infiltrating under the gum line, which is why oral hygiene is so important to preventing it.
However, it can be hard to clean crooked teeth, as a misaligned smile has more nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide in. If you want to reduce your risk of gum disease, orthodontics may help you.
Tooth Decay
In a similar vein, tooth decay is made worse by an accumulation of bacteria between misaligned teeth. More than that, however, teeth that don’t fit together evenly may cause you to deal with uneven wear, with some teeth bearing more of the brunt of eating than others.
As you can see, misaligned teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue. When you get orthodontic treatment, you can improve both how you look and how you feel every day.
About the Author
Dr. Travis Rottman has been practicing as a dentist since 2011, and has helped patients of all ages find the perfect smiles. He works hard to form relationships with his patients based on care and compassion. Dr. Rottman graduated from the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry, and maintains membership in the Academy of General Dentistry to stay up-to-date on the latest in oral medicine.
If you have any questions about how you can address underlying issues with orthodontics, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (972) 848-0073.