Oral Health Problems? You Might Need Orthodontics!

Oral health problems like gum disease and tooth decay are only a few examples of what might go wrong in your mouth. Speech difficulties, digestive issues, and even various bodily aches and pains can all be the result of poor dental alignment. How can a bad bite and crooked teeth contribute to such issues, and how can orthodontic care help? This blog post explains.

The Importance of a Well-Aligned Smile

Crooked teeth are often thought of as a mere aesthetic issue, but the truth is that dental misalignment can spell serious trouble for your oral health. For example, crooked and crowded teeth are often much more difficult to clean than well-aligned teeth. As a result, you may be much more prone to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Your teeth may also hit one another at odd angles, making them more likely to chip and crack.

The way your upper and lower teeth work together (occlusion) is also of critical importance. If you have a bad bite, you could easily suffer from chronic teeth grinding and clenching. You may also experience persistent symptoms of TMJ disorder (TMD), which can cause jaw pain, facial pain, headaches, and numerous other issues.

Orthodontic Care Can Help

Your general dentist can treat decay and gum disease, and they can provide a mouthguard that reduces teeth grinding. However, those measures are often just a band-aid for symptoms of an underlying orthodontic issue. To set yourself up for long-term oral health, you might need braces or another type of orthodontic treatment.

The goal of orthodontia is to bring your bite and teeth into proper alignment. Once that occurs, they can work harmoniously together, and you will be at a lower risk of numerous painful and expensive problems. In other words, the root cause of many of your oral health issues will have been addressed. Plus, your beautiful new smile might even give you a confidence boost!

What to Expect with Orthodontia

Here are a few notes on what you might experience during your orthodontic care journey:

• There are different types of orthodontic treatment. Traditional metal braces are just one option. Clear aligners and other approaches to treatment are also available.
• Treatment can take months or years. Your orthodontist will try to make things as efficient as possible, but severe cases of misalignment can take 3 years or longer to correct.
• Some discomfort is normal. Orthodontic appliances can cause some mild discomfort, but that is usually just a sign that they are doing their job!
• You are not too old. While orthodontia is usually thought of as a treatment for young people, there is no upper age limit! Even if you are a seasoned adult, you may be able to achieve a straighter, healthier smile.

Dental misalignment can be the root cause of a range of oral health problems. Straightening your smile could reduce your pain, lower your dental care expenses, and bring a lifetime of other benefits!

Meet the Practice

Our three talented orthodontists provide comprehensive orthodontic care at our six convenient locations in Cumming and the surrounding communities. If you suspect that your oral pain and dental health issues are related to misalignment of your teeth or bite, we would be happy to evaluate the situation and recommend your next steps. Contact Serenity Orthodontics in Cumming at 678-879-3006.