Having straight teeth is beneficial to more than just the appearance of your smile. When our teeth are out of alignment, it can lead to further dental complications. Crooked teeth in Owings Mills, MD, often increase the risk of developing decay, damage, and jaw disorders. Adjusting your smile tends to also improve your bite and protect your oral health. There are many treatment options available that could help fix crooked teeth and resolve malocclusion.
Why Fix Crooked Teeth in Owings Mills, MD
Even if you aren’t concerned about the look of your smile, you may want to consider treatment for crooked teeth. Malocclusion often leads to uneven tension in your bite, which could cause jaw problems. It’s also easier for food particles and bacteria to hide when you have crooked teeth. And brushing or flossing in crowded areas is often less effective. Adjusting your teeth using cosmetic or restorative treatment options could improve your bite and your oral health.
Preventing Food Traps
When we have crowding or gaps between our teeth, food particles are more likely to get stuck. Swallowing typically allows our saliva to clean away harmful bacteria before it can take hold. But crooked teeth make it harder for that process to work. This means that food from breakfast could be feeding plaque throughout the whole day. When you close the gap between teeth or straighten out crowded spaces, you often make it easier for your saliva to help keep food particles clear of your smile.
Improving Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing twice a day is one of the best ways to help prevent decay and plaque buildup. But if you have an uneven smile, it can be harder to keep everything clean. Patients with crooked teeth often need to work harder and clean their teeth for longer to get the same level of oral hygiene as others. And if you don’t put in the time or energy to floss around crooked teeth, then you could be at a higher risk of developing decay. Adjusting your smile could make it easier to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Treatment Options
When it comes to fixing malocclusion, there are a few different options available. What kind of treatment you need typically depends on the severity of your problem. If you have overcrowding, for example, you may need to seek orthodontic treatment. But if you have gaps between your teeth, cosmetic options such as porcelain veneers may be able to help. Your dentist will examine your bite and discuss your cosmetic goals to help you find the right treatment plan for your smile.
If you have crooked teeth, Owings Mills Dental Care is here to help. We offer a range of cosmetic and restorative options that could improve your smile and oral health. Call us today at 410-782-3021 to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options for a straighter smile.