Many people who have crooked teeth are more concerned with how their teeth look than with how misalignment may affect their oral health. However, as your Downey CA cosmetic dentists note, misaligned teeth can increase the risks of both gum disease and tooth decay. When teeth are misaligned, many crevices exist where oral bacteria can hide. These hard-to-reach places may become havens for bacteria, allowing them to linger in the mouth and attack the teeth and gums. Orthodontic treatment, therefore, is about more than just improving the appearance of your smile. It can also result in a healthier mouth.
A Closer Look at Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is caused by certain harmful bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria form plaque, a clear, sticky film, so that they may attach themselves to teeth. Once they have succeeded in adhering to teeth, the bacteria can consume lingering sugar in the mouth, which will cause them to give off an acid that is capable of injuring teeth. If these bacteria are allowed to remain on teeth for about two days, the plaque will harden into tartar, a substance which toothbrushes will prove ineffective in removing. Once tartar forms, bacteria may continue to attack teeth until the stubborn substance is scraped away by a hygienist during a dental cleaning. You can, therefore, see how misaligned teeth can increase the likelihood of tooth decay as removing plaque becomes more and more difficult when more inaccessible crevices exist.
Oral Bacteria and Gum Disease
Harmful oral bacteria are also responsible for gum disease. Thus, when tartar builds on teeth near the gum line, the likelihood increases that gum disease will develop. Gingivitis (the inflammation of the gums) is the first stage of gum disease. Common symptoms include red, swollen gums that are sensitive and may bleed easily. However, if gingivitis is not treated, it may quickly progress into periodontitis, a more damage form of gum disease that attacks the ligaments and tissues that support teeth. When supportive ligaments and tissues decay, teeth will loosen and may shift. Eventually, they may even require extraction or fall out altogether. With so much on the line for your oral health, orthodontic treatment may prove itself more valuable than you could possibly have guessed as it positions teeth so that they can be cleaned more effectively.
About Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry: Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health and function and help them enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
