In most cases, crooked teeth are a genetic feature you are born with, similar to eye or hair color. But misalignment can also be caused by a traumatic facial injury, the early loss of baby teeth, a too-small or overcrowded mouth, or prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use as a child. Crooked teeth are more than just an aesthetic issue – they can lead to serious oral health problems if left untreated.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), crooked teeth affect more than just the health of your mouth – they can affect the health of your entire body as well. Bacterial oral infections have been linked to heart disease, strokes, pneumonia, and diabetes. And crooked teeth can cause more than enough damage to your mouth alone:

• Your teeth are spaced to evenly distribute pressure when you bite and chew. When the alignment is out of place, biting and chewing puts undue stress on both the wrong parts of the teeth and on the jaw. This extra force can lead to chips, cracks, and fractures in the teeth. Misalignment can also be the reason behind the jaw condition TMJ, which develops when excess stress is placed on the tempomandibular joint where the jaw hinges. TMJ is characterized by an uneven bite, jaw pain, headaches, and pain that extends from the jaw down the neck and shoulder.

• Misaligned teeth are more prone to uneven wear and erosion of the enamel on the surface and sides of teeth; teeth may clack or rub against each other when biting and chewing, which chips away at the protective enamel cover.

• Crooked teeth are often seen in an overcrowded mouth or accompanied by an overbite or underbite. In these cases, one or more teeth may protrude, which will place excess strain on the jaw and throw it out of alignment. Protruding teeth are also more susceptible to damage if you encounter an accident or trauma to the face, and overextended upper or lower teeth can lead to pain when speaking, biting, and chewing due to jaw misalignment and teeth clacking against each other.

• When teeth are in proper alignment, they fit firmly against the gum. Crooked teeth leave gum pockets where nasty bacteria become trapped. Over time, built-up bacteria in the gum pockets cause bad breath, gum disease – gingivitis or periodontitis, abscesses, and/or oral infections.

• Crooked teeth make proper oral hygiene more difficult to follow. It may be challenging or even impossible to brush and floss in places where teeth overlap, and your toothbrush may not be able to reach into the deep gum pockets where teeth have pulled away from the gum. Bacteria left to fester in your mouth and between your teeth can cause cavities and tooth decay.

Besides cleaning and examining your teeth, screening you for oral cancer, and reviewing tips for good oral hygiene practices, your dentist will also be your first source for detection of crooked teeth. During dental exams, he or she will check for an abnormal alignment or appearance of the face, lisping, and chewing or biting difficulties. Your dentist will then recommend you see an orthodontist for treatment options. Today, there are numerous treatment options available for correcting misaligned teeth. In mild cases, a removable retainer may be the only treatment necessary. In more severe cases, braces or permanent retainers may be needed. If you suffer from crooked teeth due to an overcrowded mouth, tooth extraction is a possible treatment option to make space in the mouth.

Don’t let crooked teeth stop you from showing the world the beauty of your smile. Contact Boyett Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Boyett, who will thoroughly examine your mouth, teeth, and jaw to check for proper alignment. Dr. Boyett believes that early detection and early treatment is the key to long-lasting oral health; call our office today at 863-294-9200.

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Common mouth problems

• Halitosis: Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Everyday bad breath is nothing to worry about and can be washed away with a little mouthwash – we’ve all experienced morning breath or the smelly aftertaste of garlic and onions. But persistent bad breath can also be caused by cavities, mouth and tongue bacteria, dry mouth, gum disease, oral cancer, or cavities. If you have chronic halitosis that mouthwash does not mask, make an appointment with your dentist for an evaluation.
• Oral cancer: Oral cancer is relatively treatable in its primary stages; regular cancer screenings by your dentist are key for early detection. Two of the biggest risk factors for oral cancer are tobacco and/or alcohol use. The first signs are typically sores, lumps, bumps, or rough patches in the mouth or throat. Click here to read more about oral cancer detection.
• Mouth sores: Mouth sores come and go and are generally harmless. Common types include canker sores, fever sores, cold sores, and sores caused by a fungal infection in the mouth. If you have a mouth sore that persists for more than two weeks, contact your dentist because it may be a sign of a larger problem, such as oral cancer.
• Dry mouth: Dry mouth is characterized by a lack of moisture and saliva in the mouth, and commonly occurs as a side effect of certain medications. Our saliva contains antibacterial properties and provides the mouth with essential moisture. A lack of it can lead to bad breath and tooth decay over time.

Common tooth problems

• Tooth decay: Cavities form when the sugars and starches we consume are eaten by mouth bacteria and produce acids that erode tooth enamel. Over time, the erosion creates little holes in the teeth. Signs of a cavity include tooth pain, pain while chewing, and/or sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
• Tooth sensitivity: Has ice cream ever made your teeth ache? Have you ever felt a sharp pain after eating a spoonful of hot soup? Teeth sensitivity is a common problem characterized by a pain or discomfort felt from sweets, and/or hot or cold foods, drinks, and air. In most cases, sensitive teeth can be treated with potassium nitrate, an ingredient that relieves sensitivity. In other cases, a cracked tooth or abscess may be the root cause of sensitive teeth, and should be evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible.
• Enamel erosion: You may be familiar with this problem already if you’ve ever noticed white or discolored spots on your teeth – these are signs of enamel erosion. The number one cause of enamel erosion is constant sipping and nibbling on sugary snacks and drinks. The number one treatment of enamel erosion is prevention – once too much enamel is eroded it cannot be undone, so swap out your candy and sodas for fresh fruits and water when possible.
• Tooth infection: Your teeth can become infected too. Cracks, fractures, and cavities in the teeth can lead to damage of underlying nerves and pulp tissues that are left open to bacteria. Oftentimes, a tooth infection stemming from a cracked or fractured tooth will require a root canal. Although root canals are painful and expensive, it is better to treat a tooth infection early, before an abscess develops.

Common gum problems

• Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is the medical term for gum disease, which is an infection of the gums. It is also one of the leading causes of tooth loss among adults. One of the biggest risk factors for gum disease is smoking. Common symptoms include halitosis, swollen, painful, red, or tender gums, and pain while chewing.

The good news is that simple, everyday prevention methods can reduce the risk of most problems listed above. Brush and floss your teeth daily, eat a balanced diet without excess sugars, and get regular check-ups and cleanings at your dentist. Here at Boyett Family Dentistry, Dr. Boyett and her team of amazing hygienists are always on alert to catch any of these common dental problems in the early stages and get you started on treatment right away. If it’s time for your regular exam and cleaning, call us today at 863-294-9200 to schedule an appointment.

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The truthful answer is yes and no: sugar does play a role in the development of tooth decay, but the method is more complicated than simple cause and effect. Let’s break down the process here:

• The human mouth relies on many natural defenses to keep itself clean and healthy. One of these defenses is remineralization, the process by which minerals in saliva – such as calcium, phosphate, and fluoride – strengthen tooth enamel. Enamel is the protective outer shield over teeth, and it needs to feed on minerals to keep it hard and block decay from penetrating its surface.
• On the other hand, the human mouth is also a breeding ground for bacteria – some beneficial and some harmful. Two of the most harmful types are Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbinus. When sugar is released into the mouth, these bacterium feed on it and produce acid that eats away at tooth enamel – a process called demineralization, because the acid strips enamel of its healthy minerals.
• Over time, the acid produced by sugar can cause tooth decay and cavities as it chews through tooth enamel and beyond – into the dentin and pulp layers of the teeth, where the nerves and blood vessels are contained. A cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by decay, and can produce symptoms of pain, pain when chewing, and sensitivity to hot, cold, and/or sweet foods.
• When it comes to eating sugar, the frequency of ingestion is more important than the amount. Acid is produced every time you eat sugar and it festers in the mouth for up to 30 minutes after consumption of sugary substances. Every sip of soda or bite of cake re-starts the acid cycle, and these frequent acid attacks increase the amount of time teeth are exposed to demineralization, while also decreasing the amount of time saliva flow has to re-mineralize tooth enamel. Repeated blows to the outer shield weaken tooth enamel more quickly.

The good news is that the risk of cavity development can be reduced by practicing vigilant oral hygiene and making better dietary choices.

• You can reduce the number of germs in your mouth by regular tooth brushing and flossing. If there are fewer germs, less acid will be produced every time you eat. Brush a minimum of two times a day, and after meals whenever possible. Brush and floss your teeth every night before bed. If you are unable to brush your teeth after a meal, rinse your mouth with water to clean out sugar and dilate the potency of sugar left sticking to your teeth. When possible, drink fluoridated water. Softer teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay, but fluoride – found in the water supply, and many toothpastes and mouthwashes – helps strengthen and harden enamel.
• Practicing good dietary choices is just as important as practicing good oral hygiene. High-sugar snacks and high-sugar and acidic drinks cause enamel-destroying acids to be released into the mouth environment. And constant sipping and nibbling on sodas, long-lasting gums, mints, and hard candies fuels repeated acid attacks that wear away enamel over time.
• Eat meals rich in plants and whole grains. Instead of snacking on hard, sticky, and crunchy foods that get trapped in the grooves of teeth, munch on raw fruits, veggies, or yogurt, which increase saliva flow and wash away from the mouth easily. Chew on sugar-free gum (with the ADA seal of approval) as another way to increase saliva flow in the mouth and jumpstart the re-mineralizing process.
• You can still enjoy your favorite sweets in moderation – eat and drink sugary substances with meals instead of between them, to reduce the amount of time harmful bacteria is producing acid in your mouth.
• The ADA lists the following nine foods and drinks as the most damaging to the health of your mouth and teeth: hard candies; ice; citrus; coffee; dried fruits; potato chips; soda; alcohol; and sports drinks.

One of the most important ways you can stop cavities in their tracks is by scheduling regular dental exams with your dentist. Regular examinations detect tooth decay while it is still small and confined to the surface of tooth enamel, and your dentist will be able to treat the cavity before decay progresses. If it’s time for your regular check-up, call Boyett Family Dentistry at 863-294-9200 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Boyett and her team of dedicated and caring dental hygienists.

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