Did you know that there is a silent, but all the more common disease that nearly 70% of Canadians will develop in their lifetime? We are of course talking about gum disease- an awful, often complicated health condition to treat once it’s in its later stages. Did you also know that in many situations, the cause for gum disease can be as simple as misaligned teeth? 

Here at Weston Dental Office, we want to inform our readers of the negative side effects associated with misaligned teeth and how to fix the problem at hand. In the blog post below, we will be talking about this topic in detail so you can get a better idea on how to prevent/treat this dental problem. 

What Causes Misaligned Teeth? 

Truth is there are a number of different ways one can end up with misaligned teeth. Some of the many ways to end up with this dental issue include: 

• Jaw size: If you were born with a smaller jaw, this can cause problems & misalign your teeth down the road. Since there is less space for the teeth to grow, they may grow crooked/settle crooked. 
• Larger teeth: Just like a smaller jaw, this part of your anatomy that you are likely born with can cause overcrowding problems. If you have a small jaw and larger teeth, you’re especially at risk. 
• Number of teeth: While the average adult has 32 teeth, you will end up having more when your wisdom teeth grow in. In some situations, wisdom teeth may cause crowding/overlapping of the teeth. If you’re the opposite and you have less teeth you may assume you’re better off. In reality, however, too much space between your teeth can cause them to misalign as well.  

The Negative Side Effects 

Now to answer the main question at hand: “What are the drawbacks to having misaligned teeth?” 

There are quite a few, and they are as follows: 

• Difficulty chewing: When the bottom + upper teeth rub together, this can cause difficulties with chewing and cause one to choke/end up with pretty serious digestive problems.  
• Higher chance of bad breath (halitosis): When teeth are closer together & more crowded, it becomes much more difficult to rid the teeth of bad bacteria. This, consequently, will lead to issues like halitosis.  
• Weakened enamel: When teeth are closer together and rub up against one another, the protective layer of enamel on the surface of the teeth can begin to falter. This can lead to teeth becoming weaker and chipping/breaking more easily. 
• Increased risk on heart health: When dental issues become severe, the bacteria from the mouth can spread into the bloodstream and put strain on your heart. 
• An increase in headaches: When your teeth are constantly rubbing together and the overcrowding puts a strain on your jaw, headaches become more and more common. Since everything is connected, your head will feel the pain from your issues regarding your teeth. 

How To Fix It 

The good news is that there are many ways to fix this problem. When in doubt, we always advise talking to your dentist and figuring out which treatment is best for your situation. Below, we’ve listed just a few of these solutions: 

• Clear aligners (like Invisalign) 
• Retainers 
• Metal bonded braces 
• Braces with clear brackets 
• Braces with self-ligating brackets 

How We Can Help 

When you want some of the most professional dental assistance in all of the GTA, look no further than our clinic here at Weston Dental Office. With years of experience in the dental field, top of the line equipment and a caring work ethic, our specialists work incredibly hard to make sure that you come out of our clinic with your most beautiful smile. To learn more about our general dentistry in Toronto, be sure to call us at 416-247-1928 today!