Do you have crooked, overcrowded, chipped, or broken teeth? You may have thought about correcting these issues with cosmetic dental procedures but maybe you’re not sure because you think that “there’s no reason to fix my teeth except so my smiles looks better”? However, there are valid reasons to fix your dental flaws beyond purely cosmetic ones.
Some of these issues can affect not only your oral health but your overall health as well. AH Smiles of Arlington Heights, IL is a practice of experienced and professional dentists who can help restore and preserve your smile. Learn more about the important reasons to fix dental problems from the AH Smiles team below.
Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
Crooked or crowded teeth can lead to bigger problems. Teeth can shift in your mouth, becoming crowded. This can lead to cracking and fracturing which is painful and can even cause infection if left untreated.
Crooked, chipped, or broken teeth are also difficult to clean properly. This can lead to plaque forming between teeth and along the gum line. Bacteria feed on this plaque and also the enamel of your teeth, causing tooth decay. This bacteria can also cause your gums to become infected and inflamed from gum disease, pulling away from your teeth and jeopardizing their stability. Even more serious: progressive gum disease has been linked to systemic health problems like heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ensure Your Teeth Wear Evenly
If teeth are not aligned correctly, over time they will wear unevenly which can lead to premature tooth decay or pain. An unstable bite resulting from an overbite, underbite, a jaw injury, crooked or missing teeth, or even an uneven crown or molding fit can cause this condition.
Excessive wear and tear on teeth can result in more serious dental health concerns as teeth can be worn down to the more sensitive layer underneath the enamel, called the dentin. Dentin erodes even faster than enamel and is more sensitive. If an unstable bite is left untreated, a person’s teeth can be ground down to their stumps, making bridges, crowns, root canals, implants and even dentures necessary to remedy the issue.
Improve Overall Health
Research has linked gum disease to overall health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s Disease. An uneven bite, fractured or overcrowded teeth, or even missing teeth can increase your chances of developing gum disease simply because they are more difficult to clean properly. Therefore, correcting what seems like merely a cosmetic problem can actually help your body stay healthy and strong.
Improve Your Smile in Arlington Heights, IL
AH Smiles offers many different types of conservative but effective restorative treatments for your smile. Call (847) 230-9703 or schedule a consultation online with one of our dentists today to keep your smile healthy and your confidence high!