When you have an uneven smile, this obviously alters the appearance of your smile. But cosmetics aside, this could also mean major problems for your oral health too! In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about what poor alignment means for your smile, and what treatments we offer.
The Causes of an Uneven Smile
Why do we have teeth that are uneven? Crooked, crowded, and overlapping teeth could occur for several different reasons. Sometimes, this occurs in childhood, the result of complications with the growth of the smile and the eruption of the teeth, or due to thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or the premature loss of baby teeth, which altered how the permanent teeth erupted. In the teen and adult years, losing teeth to injury or poor oral health could cause teeth to begin shifting from position. The arrival of the wisdom teeth, which your general dentist would prefer to remove before they erupt, could also cause dental malocclusion to develop.
The Dangers for Oral Health
When you have misalignment, this obviously alters the esthetics of your smile and could lead to embarrassment in social situations. But this also impacts oral health too. The uneven nature means thoroughly brushing and flossing is difficult, and this could provide places for food particles to become trapped beyond the reach of the toothbrush, increasing the risk of cavities and even gum disease with time, as well as bad breath and teeth stains. The uneven nature of your smile could also stress and strain the jaw joints, leading to a higher risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding), potentially damaging your teeth with time.
Starting Treatment
We can help you avoid these complications with orthodontic treatment. For children as young as age seven, we can begin with a phased approach to guide the growth of the smile and limit the severity of misalignment. For teens and adults, we could employ braces or even clear aligners to shift the teeth. We can also discuss retainers too. Each smile is different, and we will create a personalized treatment plan to restore function, health, and beauty to your smile once again. If you have any questions about treating misalignment, or about our treatment options, then contact our team to schedule a consultation for your or a family member.
DO YOU NEED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
Our team is ready to help you and your family enjoy better oral health and a more attractive smile. If you have any questions about starting treatment and ensuring an even smile, 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 Rome, Haslet, Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.
