Health Problems That Stem From Alignment Issues

Most people want straight teeth so they can have a gorgeous smile. However, well-aligned teeth are also important for chewing, speaking, and for your oral and overall physical health. Crooked and misaligned teeth can contribute to cavities, gum disease, and a number of other significant health problems.

At Skyview Dentistry, we make dental care comfortable and easy, so you and your family can have healthy teeth and beautiful smiles. At our welcoming office in Charlotte, North Carolina, our skilled and compassionate dentists, Seti Byrd, DMD, Jennifer D’Silva, DDS, and David Bunn, DDS, provide a full range of high quality dental services.

We offer a number of effective treatments — including the high tech and discreet Invisalign® system — to correct all types of dental alignment issues. In this blog, we discuss health problems that can arise if you have alignment issues.

Health problems that stem from alignment issues

Most people don’t have naturally straight teeth and need treatments to make their teeth align correctly. There are a number of types of alignment issues, including overcrowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, and underbites. Furthermore, there are a number of health problems that can stem from these alignment issues, including the following:

Hard-to-clean teeth

If your teeth aren’t properly aligned, you may have a harder time brushing and flossing in certain areas. As a result, this could lead to a buildup of tartar and plaque in places, which could lead to cavities. Addressing alignment issues can help you keep your teeth clean and your mouth healthy.

Bad breath

Misaligned teeth can cause bad breath. This is because misaligned teeth can make it more difficult to brush and floss in certain areas. This, in turn, can lead to a buildup of odor-causing bacteria. As a result, you may develop mouth odors. Addressing alignment issues can help keep your breath fresh and your teeth healthy.

Increased risk for gum disease

Your gums seal the spaces around your teeth and prevent bacteria from accessing the vulnerable roots of your teeth. If your teeth aren’t properly aligned, your gums may not provide a good seal, which could allow decay to travel below your gumline. This, in turn, could lead to the development of gum disease. Treating your alignment issues will help support your gum health.

Increased risk for other diseases

Teeth alignment issues can contribute to the development of diseases outside of your oral health. Studies have suggested that inflammation from gum disease can play a part in increasing inflammation in the rest of your body. This, in turn, could contribute to the development of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia.