If you deal with crooked, overcrowded, chipped, or broken teeth, you might be considering restoring your smile. But what are the reasons to fix teeth beyond cosmetic? You might be surprised to learn that some issues that seem cosmetic actually affect your oral and overall health. Dr. Doyle Freano is an experienced dentist in Lexington who can help restore and preserve your smile.
Decrease Your Risk of Gum Disease
Overcrowded or crooked teeth may be the result of a deeper problem beneath the gums. Teeth can move around in the mouth, and they may become overcrowded if there’s no room for them to go. When teeth are too close together, they can crack or fracture. This could cause pain or infection if left untreated.
Crooked, chipped, or broken teeth are also difficult to clean. If teeth are not cleaned properly, plaque will build up and begin to erode enamel and gums, which could cause them to become infected and teeth to be less stable. Progressive gum disease is linked to systemic health problems.
Ensure Your Teeth Wear Evenly
If teeth are not aligned properly, over time they will wear unevenly and cause premature tooth decay or pain. A common cause for excess tooth wear is an uneven bite, which could be the result of an overbite, underbite, a jaw injury, crooked or missing teeth, or even an uneven crown or molding fit.
Excess tooth wear can lead to several more serious dental health concerns because teeth can be worn down to the more sensitive layers beneath the enamel, called the dentin, and dentin erodes even faster and more painfully than enamel once it’s exposed. If left untreated, a person’s teeth can be worn down to their stumps, meaning that bridges, crowns, root canals, implants and even dentures may be necessary to remedy the issue.
Improve Overall Health
Gum disease is linked to overall health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s. An uneven bite, fractured or overcrowded teeth, or even missing teeth can lead to gum disease simply due to the fact that they are more difficult to clean. Correcting what seems like a cosmetic problem can actually keep your body healthy.
How to Improve Your Smile
Dr. Freano is an experienced dentist who offers many different types of conservative, effective treatments to fit your needs. Schedule a consultation with our office today to keep your smile healthy and your confidence high!