If you keep up with health and beauty news, you’ve probably seen a lot about smile design and all the benefits it can offer. One of the best things about smile design is that today’s treatments are so effective, you can enjoy the benefits at just about any age. But although smile design can offer advantages to just about anyone, the fact is, the longer you wait, delaying treatment can significantly increase your risk of developing one of the problems associated with crooked teeth and a misaligned bite – and there are lots.
First, crooked teeth offer lots of nooks and crannies for bacteria to lodge and work their way under the gum, causing tooth decay and gum disease. Over time, that gum disease can cause the tooth roots to become weak and loose, ultimately causing the tooth to fall right out of your mouth.
What’s more, the bacteria associated with gum disease and plaque have been linked with the development of heart disease, diabetes, crippling rheumatoid arthritis – even dementia. Most experts believe these effects occur when bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream, damaging your organs. They also believe the inflammation associated with gum disease can play a role in the development of these and other health conditions.
Misaligned teeth also don’t “mesh” the way they should, which increases the stresses and strains on neighboring teeth and you jaw muscles. Left untreated, a poorly aligned bite can result in the development of major jaw problems such as tempomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. In TMJ, the forces exerted on your jaw are uneven, which means the muscles can become overtired and strained. Over time, you may notice a pattern of frequent headaches or pain or “clicking” when you yawn or even when you chew. Smile design helps your bite achieve the proper balance so you can eliminate the risk of TMJ and even eliminate symptoms you already may be experiencing.
And of course, there’s the “feel good” factor of smile design. Having a beautiful smile can help you look and feel your best, improving your ability to interact with others and increasing your own sense of self-esteem. Delaying treatment can cause some feelings of awkwardness or anxiety to become entrenched – and why would you want to delay looking better and feeling more self-confident anyway?
Many people fall into the trap of thinking they’ll simply postpone treatment until some time later: “I just need a little time to think about it,” or “Maybe next year” are common excuses when it comes to a lot of dental work. The fact is, unlike procedures and treatments of even a decade or so ago, today’s dental procedures and smile design techniques are so patient-friendly, quick and effective, there’s no reason to delay.
If it’s financing that’s making you hesitate, we can help! We work with most major insurance companies, and if you don’t have insurance, we can help you get the financing you need to help you fit the cost of your care into your regular budget.
At Dentistry for All Ages, we’re committed to helping patients of all ages get the care they need to look and feel better about themselves and to lead healthier lives. Don’t let your own hesitations prevent you from getting the care that could help you look better, feel more self-confident and lead to better health. Give our office a call today at 859-296-9711 and schedule an appointment to learn how we can help you.