Understanding the Consequences of Not Straightening Teeth
If your teeth are crooked or misaligned you may have considered getting them fixed with braces. However although it may seem like the obvious choice, you may be unsure of whether it is worth it due to the economic cost, or maybe the stigma of adult braces.
To compound that issue, most people assume that straightening teeth is purely an aesthetic improvement. It is important that you understand that isn’t the case, and crooked or misaligned teeth could have some very real consequences if you don’t straighten them:
- Difficult to clean
One of the main problems with crooked or misaligned teeth is that they are much more difficult to clean, and there are often a lot of nooks and crannies for bits of food and plaque to hide in. As such it is much more likely that you’ll end up with gum disease, cavities and other dental issues because of the fact that you’re unable to effectively clean your teeth.
- Wears down your teeth
Over time your teeth are likely to wear down each other and slowly but surely wear down certain parts of your teeth that are essentially exerting pressure on each other. Not only will this put the protective layer around your teeth (i.e. the enamel) at risk, but it could lead to further complications down the line – including an increased risk of cavities.
- Causes the alignment of your teeth to get worse
If left uncorrected, misaligned teeth are likely to get worse as time goes by. As you grow older your teeth are likely to shift even further out of place, exacerbating any existing misalignment and making it far more pronounced. In some cases it could even lead to the development of an overbite or underbite, and may cause issues with your jawbone as well.
- Deteriorating self-confidence
In part due to your misaligned teeth as well as the other consequences discussed above, your self-confidence is likely to deteriorate over time. Many people end up being extremely self-conscious about their smile when they have misaligned or crooked teeth, and as it gets worse their self-confidence ends up taking a hit. That can lead to other issues, and affect your lifestyle as a whole.
As you can see straightening your teeth is far more than ‘just a cosmetic’ improvement. While it is true that it will improve the aesthetics of your smile, there are some serious dental considerations that you need to take into account as well.
If you’re still unsure as to whether or not you should get braces, you should consult an orthodontist in Greenwich. When you do be sure to ask them about the impact of not straightening your teeth, as well as any potential consequences that you may face if you decide not to. All said and done in most cases it is more than worthwhile to wear braces, as while they may be a challenge in the long term the benefits far outweigh any difficulties you may face.
