Maybe you’re dealing with the embarrassment and discomfort of living with crooked, overcrowded, chipped, or broken teeth? You might be considering restoring your smile with cosmetic dental procedures. But perhaps you’re uncertain because you feel that “there’s no reason to fix my teeth except looking better”? However, there are very good reasons to fix your teeth beyond simply cosmetic ones. Surprisingly enough, some dental issues that seem merely cosmetic actually affect your oral health and can even negatively impact your overall health.
Dr. Melanie J. Andrews of Plantation Road Dental Care is a dentist in Destrehan, LA who can help restore and preserve your smile. Learn more about the important reasons to fix dental problems from Dr. Andrews and her team below.
Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
Overcrowded or crooked teeth may be lead to bigger problems. Teeth can move in your mouth and may become overcrowded if there’s nowhere for them to go. When teeth have moved too close together, they can crack or fracture. Cracked or fractured teeth can be very uncomfortable and make your teeth more susceptible to infections.
Crooked, chipped, or broken teeth are also more difficult to clean. If teeth are not cleaned properly, plaque will form between teeth and along the gum line and bacteria will begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Also, your gums can become infected and inflamed, pulling away from your teeth which can expose the roots to bacteria and also make your teeth loose. Maybe even more alarming is the fact that progressive gum disease is linked to systemic health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
Ensure Your Teeth Wear Evenly
If teeth are not aligned properly, over time they can wear unevenly and cause discomfort and premature tooth decay. 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. Your teeth can be worn down to the more sensitive layers beneath the enamel, called the dentin, and dentin is even softer and more sensitive than enamel. If an uneven bite is left untreated, a person’s teeth can be worn down to their stumps, meaning that bridges, crowns, root canals, implants or even dentures may be necessary to resolve 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.
Improve Your Smile in Destrehan, LA
Dr. Andrews of Plantation Road Dental Care is a skilled and compassionate dentist who offers many different types of conservative, effective treatments to fit your needs. Schedule a consultation online or call our office at (985) 231-2770 to keep your smile healthy and your confidence high!