Who doesn’t want a beautifully white, perfectly aligned smile? While that smile is important for several reasons, one of the most important is helping your teeth and gums stay healthy. Straight teeth are indeed healthy teeth.
Here at Houston Precise Dental Care, our dental team, under the expert guidance of Dr. Joe Eckford, Jr. offers a wide range of services that help both the form and function of your teeth. And whether you realize it or not, both are inexorably linked.
Here’s why at Houston Precise Dental Care, we say straight teeth are healthy teeth.
What is teeth misalignment?
Misaligned teeth are called malocclusion, a dental word meaning your bite is out of proper alignment. The primary types of misalignment, or malocclusion, include:
- Crossbite
- Gapped teeth
- Overbite
- Overcrowding
- Underbite
In all these cases, the teeth in your upper jaw are prevented from fitting in neatly with the teeth in your lower jaw.
What happens when my teeth are misaligned?
Several important health considerations are in view when your teeth aren’t properly aligned, beyond a straight smile. The primary ones are briefly discussed below.
Keeping teeth clean
Teeth that are overly crowded or rotated create hidden pockets and corners that are difficult to get and keep clean, even with superior home oral hygiene. This allows decay-causing bacteria to erode and penetrate your dental structure, causing cavities, tooth decay, bad breath, and other problems.
Gum damage
When teeth aren’t aligned correctly, it can cause you repeatedly bite your gums, creating a vicious cycle of painful sores. This can even happen on the insides of your cheeks and may affect your tongue, too.
Uneven wear
Misaligned teeth mean that some teeth are doing the work of chewing while others are left out. Using some teeth more than others can cause uneven wear, leading to tooth damage and even tooth loss. Your dental health is now in more trouble.
TMJ/TMD
Misaligned teeth put added pressure on your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), causing a painful condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). For some people, this can cause facial and head pain, too.
How can my misaligned teeth be corrected?
Dental science has been straightening teeth for generations, and new innovations allow your dentist to accomplish it easier than ever. With time and patience on your end, you can display a straight, healthy smile to the world, and have an easier time keeping them clean and healthy.
Here at Houston Precise Dental Care, Dr. Eckford uses ClearCorrect clear aligners for both adults and teens. This innovative teeth-straightening system clear alignment trays to gently move your teeth into their proper position. The aligners are removable, so you can perform your oral hygiene routine while you tend to your alignment problem.
Dr. Eckford can advise you about how long the process will take in your particular case. To get started simply call our Houston office or use the online booking tool on this website to make an appointment.