Many people have crooked teeth. The crookedness of one’s teeth can vary. Sometimes, having crooked teeth only adds character to your smile. Other times, it may cause issues. You should never feel like you have to alter your smile aesthetically. If you are pleased with your smile, be happy. However, there are a few reasons why you should correct your crooked teeth. Crooked teeth can cause numerous problems that you may want to avoid. 

Oral Hygiene

Crooked teeth can get in the way of your oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing your teeth can be difficult when teeth are not in their proper position. For example, some teeth can sit behind their neighbors or sit too close, making it hard to get between your teeth. If you can’t clean your teeth correctly, you can increase your chances of developing tooth decay or gum disease. 

Plaque is a sticky substance that builds on your teeth. If you go a while without brushing and then scrape your teeth, it will be the soft white-ish material underneath your fingernail. It is essential to remove plaque because it is a type of bacteria. This bacteria creates acid that eats away at your enamel. Not only can plaque cause tooth decay, but it can also form gum disease. 

Both gum disease and tooth decay can lead to infections if left untreated. As a result, losing your teeth or damaging jaw bones is possible. In addition, if your teeth are too crooked, you won’t be able to remove the plaque from your teeth. 

Wear and Tear

Your “bite” is how your top teeth meet your bottom teeth. When you have crooked teeth, it is called a malocclusion or a bad bite. This is because your teeth should strike each other a certain way in order to work properly. When your teeth are crooked, they can wear down your teeth more quickly. If your teeth are out of alignment, you are also likely to break or chip a tooth. 

In addition, your jaw has to work harder to compensate for your bad bite. This can overwork the muscles in your jaw. Over time, you can develop a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ can cause a popping and clicking sound in your jaw joint. Unfortunately, TMJ can advance to pain or discomfort anytime your hinge your jaw. Another side effect of an overworked jaw is chronic headaches. 

Chewing and Speech

As you speak, your jaw hinges, and your tongue moves. When you use your voice, it pushes air over the position of your jaw and tongue. Crooked teeth can interrupt your speech. Meaning, crooked teeth can create a speech impediment. In addition, crooked teeth can keep your tongue from touching the correct part of your mouth to form certain sounds. 

Crooked teeth can cause pain or discomfort when chewing. When your teeth are out of alignment, they can strike the wrong place and hurt. You also may be unable to chew your food thoroughly with severely crooked teeth. This can lead to malnourishment or digestive problems.