Can crooked teeth really cause an infection?
/“I don’t need orthodontics because I’m not worried about how my (or my child’s) teeth look”.
I often hear this when I suggest orthodontics (braces, invisalign, jaw expansion, etc) to someone. When this happens, I like to gently remind people that straightening teeth is not just about beauty. It’s about function, oral health and being free from pain and cavities. And in most cases, orthodontics is much more conservative than other treatment options such as crowns, veneers, oral surgery, etc (in my humble opinion).
If we don’t straighten our crooked teeth (or those of our children), sadly we could be putting ourselves at higher risk of the following:
Unstable bite (malocclusion). For example, if the front wheel on your car is higher than the back wheel of your car, it’s not just a bumpy ride - it could be a serious disaster. Same goes for upper and lower teeth that are not coming into contact evenly.
Pain. An unstable bite can lead to jaw pain and problems with the jaw joint (TMJ).
Cavities. Teeth that are super crowded attract and hold on to more yucky bacteria that gets stuck in the nooks and crannies between the teeth. Try cleaning a white picket fence where all the pickets are sideways or upside down…it will probably be filled with dirt and rot out super fast! Just like our teeth :(
Infection. Cavities and malocclusion can lead to infection.
Excess wear. If the bite is unstable, the teeth may wear out unevenly. Similarly, a car with uneven wheels will wear out the tires quickly, and eventually, the tire can pop! If the unstable bite causes the teeth to wear out down to the nerve, it can get infected and “pop” by forming an abscess.
Gum disease. Crooked teeth attract more bacteria, which makes the gums unhappy and “inflamed”. Just like the crooked white picket fence that is impossible to clean and attracts more dirt.
Speech difficulties. Teeth that are not in the ideal position may affect one’s speech by not being able to pronounce certain words such as “the” or “sunset” where your tongue comes into contact with your teeth.
Self Esteem. One may not think of this as part of healthcare, but it is. We are constantly bombarded with images of the perfect smile in all kinds of media and our community. Although I am a strong believer of loving every part of yourself just the way you are, I also understand that a healthy smile can improve quality of life.
Orthodontics is not for everyone and that’s okay! But I feel it’s worthwhile to understand the pros and cons of straightening our teeth or other orthodontic treatments. And most orthodontics consultations are free!
Hope this helps.
With aloha,
Sonia
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