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If you have crooked teeth and visit the dentist, you’re probably used to the experience of being advised to get an orthodontic treatment. However, you may feel reluctant to get braces or Invisalign® in East Nashville due to the common belief that crooked teeth are only a cosmetic issue.

Although orthodontics can make a person’s smile appear more attractive, its focus lies in helping patients achieve a healthy life. Misalignments can cause further complications to your oral health. In this article, we’ll talk about them in detail.

Crooked Teeth and Cavities

Humans have millions of bacteria in their mouths. Although some of them help dissolve food, others contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, which can cause tooth loss in adults.

When food leftovers remain between your teeth, bacteria start decomposing them, producing plaque, tartar, or calculus. Over time, these accumulate in hard-to-reach areas or tiny fissures in the tooth surfaces.

Regular oral hygiene practices help avoid this, but misaligned or crowded teeth give bacteria, plaque, and food particles more places to hide. Because of that, people with crooked teeth tend to have more cavities.

Crooked Teeth and Gum Disease

Another place where bacteria can form is along the gum line. If it’s not cleaned, it begins multiplying and producing a toxic substance to gums and teeth. This infection is commonly known as gum disease.

During its early stages (gingivitis), it only leads to swollen gums and, in some cases, itchiness. However, without treatment, this can lead to periodontitis, a more serious infection that can cause bone and tooth loss.

This happens when gums start to recede from the teeth to avoid this toxin, leaving more of the surface exposed. This leads to a vicious circle, where more teeth fall victim to bacteria and decay, invading deeper levels of tissue until they reach the root.

Once this very sensible area is attacked, the tooth becomes loose and can out. Straighter teeth with braces or Invisalign are easier to clean, reducing the chances of getting gum disease and all its associated risks.

Crooked Teeth and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Teeth that aren’t spaced properly can increase the wear and tear on your teeth, gums, and jaw muscles. This puts additional strain on the jaw joints, leading to chipped teeth and resulting in temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD.

People with TMD can suffer from severe jaw pain, fatigue, and chronic headaches. They can also experience uneven tooth wear when biting, which increases the risk of decay. Orthodontic treatment can help rebalance the bite and improve bite mechanics to relieve any painful symptoms.

Interested in Getting Braces or Invisalign in East Nashville?

There’s more to orthodontics than just appearance: braces help you have healthier teeth and gums by preventing tooth loss, gum disease, and bite-related problems.

If you’re interested in getting Braces or Invisalign from Greenwood Local Dentistry & Orthodontics, request an appointment!

*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.