If you have crooked teeth, you’re probably interested in completing orthodontic treatment to improve how your smile looks. But did you know that straightening your teeth has more than cosmetic benefits? The position of your teeth can have a big impact on your gum tissue health and the health of your mouth overall. Here’s why you should consider orthodontics if you have crooked teeth:
Crooked Teeth Are More Difficult to Clean
Crooked teeth have many crevices that make it difficult to clean them fully. Some teeth may be too crowded to floss while other teeth may overlap and risk trapping food debris that a toothbrush might miss. This makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities caused by harmful bacteria that can break down the protective enamel covering of the teeth. Crooked teeth can also cause gum recession, which can lead to tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods or beverages. Additionally, teeth that have a build-up of plaque and tartar deposits increase the risk of gum disease development.
How Crooked Teeth Can Lead to Gum Disease
Gum disease develops when plaque and tartar deposits left on the teeth and gums release bacteria that infect the tissues. These tissues will pull away from the teeth, making it easier for more bacteria to reach the tooth roots and the surrounding periodontal pockets. As more sticky plaque and bacteria become trapped around crooked teeth, they can eventually harm their support structures by causing irreversible damage to the tissues and bone.
If left untreated, gum disease can lead to many systemic health illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, pancreatic cancer, and stroke. If you experience any of the following symptoms, a dentist can help guide you in the right direction back to a healthy oral environment. To minimize the occurrence of gum disease, there are various things you can do now to get to or maintain a healthy mouth. These can include:
- Regular brushing and flossing: Brushing and flossing twice daily can significantly minimize your chances of getting gum disease.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet including vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and plenty of water can help improve your oral health.
- Eliminate or reduce smoking: Cigarette smoking can lead to unhealthy teeth and gums and should be avoided to help decrease the chances of developing gum disease and improve overall health.
- Choose a good toothpaste: A gum disease fighting or preventing toothpaste should include fluoride and other plaque and bacteria eliminating agents to ensure your oral health remains in-tact.
If symptoms become too severe, you can also visit a gum disease specialist, known as a periodontist, to treat the gum disease, especially since a healthy mouth is necessary before receiving any corrective dental procedures, including orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign® clear aligners.
Treating Gum Disease Before Orthodontics
If you’re showing signs of gum disease, you’ll need to treat these symptoms before you can receive orthodontic treatment. As the expert in gum disease treatment, a periodontist can provide specialized care using minimally invasive techniques, including laser gum disease therapy to restore health to your gum tissues and bone. Depending on your case, you may only need scaling and root planing, or you may need surgical intervention to treat your symptoms. No matter the severity of your case, however, an experienced periodontist can return your mouth to optimal health so you can receive orthodontics.
About Invisalign® Clear Aligners
Once your oral environment is healthy and gum disease free, you can be on your way to a new, beautiful smile, particularly if you have misaligned, crooked, or gapped teeth. You can get this new smile discreetly and quickly with Invisalign® clear aligners, especially compared to traditional metal braces. Invisalign® clear aligners offer convenience, removing the requirement to be mindful of eating or drinking items that may damage traditional braces by simply removing the aligners upon eating or drinking. Results can be noticeable in as little as two weeks with Invisalign® clear aligners, with most offices offering discounts and affordable financing options.
Schedule Your Appointment
Dr Alexander Volchonok and the skilled teams at AV Periodontics in New York and Connecticut understand the importance of having a healthy mouth free of gum disease symptoms as a foundation for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign® clear aligners. The team offers several treatment options for gum disease, including laser gum treatment, osseous surgery, scaling and root planing, and options for maintaining healthy gums once they are back on track.
If you have crooked teeth and are noticing symptoms of gingivitis, including swollen gums that bleed when you floss, schedule your next evaluation in our dental offices in Greenwich, CT and Manhattan, NY with your local periodontists today.
References
Gum Disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis), Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/gingivitis#prevention
How does Invisalign® treatment work? Invisalign, https://www.invisalign.com/how-invisalign-works
