When you have crooked or crowded teeth, or ones that overlap one another, then this could lead to issues with the appearance of your smile. But could this also threaten health and function too? In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about how misalignment can negatively impact our oral health.
The Causes of Uneven Teeth
Why do some of us end up with uneven smiles? This could be caused by issues in childhood, from thumb sucking to complications with the growth and development of the jaw and oral structures. For others, premature tooth loss in childhood due to decay or injury could alter how the permanent teeth erupt, causing uneven smiles. Losing teeth in the teeth and adult years could also alter the alignment of your smile. While the causes may vary, the impact on your smile could be the same, whether you’re a child or an adult.
Dangers for Your Oral Health
Uneven teeth are difficult to brush and floss thoroughly, which means the risk of tooth decay and gum disease could increase significantly, leaving your smile vulnerable to painful symptoms and tooth loss. The changes to your bite balance could strain your jaw joints so issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) are more likely. For some, the factors behind misalignment could also restrict breathing at night, leading to an increased risk of sleep apnea. Instead of allowing your oral health to suffer, and experiencing embarrassment about the appearance of your smile, why not talk to our team about possible treatment options?
Starting the Path to Straighter Teeth
Our team will use advanced imaging technology to assess the cause and extent of your misalignment. Which we then use to help plan your treatment with precision and accuracy. For children, we could use a phased approach to begin guiding the growth of the smile and limiting misalignment, such as teeth spacers and retainers. For adults and teens, we could shift the teeth with braces (using tooth-colored brackets) or with Invisalign® aligners. We can help people of all ages enjoy an even smile again, and we have technology to limit how long treatment times as well. If you have any questions or concerns about our treatment process, or if you would like to schedule a visit with a member of our team, then contact our office today to learn more!
Do You Have Questions About Orthodontic Care?
Our team wants to help you find the best option to correct your misalignment. If you have any questions about addressing uneven smiles, or if you would like to schedule an appointment soon, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.