If you’re looking into Invisalign treatment, you probably already know it’s to straighten your smile. But you might not realize all the impacts of Invisalign on your oral and overall health. Straightening crooked teeth with Invisalign is beneficial to you being a healthy individual.
The Issues With Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth are often just seen as a cosmetic issue. But crooked teeth have many impacts on your oral health. Crooked teeth lessen gaps, and teeth are cramped in areas. When you have cramped, jumbled teeth, it’s harder to brush and floss in between them properly. Plaque and tartar build up in the areas you can’t clean, putting you at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
When teeth are crooked, your bite is uneven. The pressure of your bite isn’t distributed evenly across your teeth. Some teeth take on more pressure than others. These teeth wear down faster than normal teeth would. They’re also more likely to break, chip, or crack, leading to a need for restorative dentistry solutions.
An uneven bite also contributes to issues with TMJ disorders. TMJ disorders impact your jaw joint. The disc of cartilage in this joint that allows it to move smoothly deteriorates, making it harder for your jaw to function. TMJ causes pain throughout the jaw and face, chronic headaches, popping and clicking of the joint, and problems opening and closing your mouth properly.
Crooked Teeth and Gum Disease
Because crooked teeth make it harder to clean your teeth, it’s easier for plaque and tartar to build up and irritate your gum tissue. Gum disease starts when plaque and bacteria buildup inflames your gum tissue. But early gum disease signs and symptoms can be hard for you to detect. If you notice any of these, call our office:
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
- Red, puffy gums, especially at the gum line
- Gums that seem more tender or sensitive
- Persistent bad breath
It’s essential to come to the dentist as soon as possible if you notice any of these symptoms. Gum disease is only reversible when it’s in these early stages. Once it progresses further and gets into the bone, it can only be managed, not reversed. You want to pursue treatment as soon as possible.
Once in the bone, gum disease starts eating away at the tissue, causing bone loss. Pockets form between the gum tissue and bone, filled with bacteria and food debris. The gum tissue also starts to pull away from the bone because of these pockets.
At its most severe, gum disease causes tooth loss, extremely foul breath, gums that ooze pus, and pain when you try to chew or speak. Laser gum treatment or gum surgery are the only options to manage the condition at this stage. The disease carries inflammation and bacteria throughout the bloodstream, causing issues in other body parts.
Schedule An Appointment
Your oral health is our top priority at Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Crooked teeth present issues not only for your oral health but the health of your entire body. If you think Invisalign is a good choice to straighten your crooked teeth, call us or schedule an appointment online.