{"id":709,"date":"2018-05-21T10:33:22","date_gmt":"2018-05-21T14:33:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/?p=709"},"modified":"2026-04-28T08:03:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T12:03:37","slug":"does-having-straight-teeth-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/does-having-straight-teeth-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Having Straight Teeth Matter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s common for children or even adults to see braces and orthodontic treatment as a purely cosmetic process. While it\u2019s true that braces can give you a great smile, they do even more by preventing minor to severe issues for your oral health. The next time you wonder \u201cDoes having straight teeth matter,\u201d consider these impacts that misaligned teeth can have on your health!<\/p>\n

How Misaligned Teeth Impact Your Oral Health<\/h2>\n

Difficulties Cleaning Your Teeth<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve ever had a cavity, you know how painful it can be. It\u2019s likely that your cavity was caused by missing a surface on your teeth when you brushed and flossed. Even with properly aligned teeth, it\u2019s common for children or adults to miss critical spots on their teeth during daily dental care routines.<\/p>\n

When your teeth are misaligned, it increases the difficulty of brushing and flossing every surface in your mouth. Teeth that are pressed against each other or crooked will create gaps that are easy for sugars and bacteria to reach, but not your toothbrush. You may even have trouble spotting decay as it forms!<\/p>\n

With the rate of cavities as high as it is, it\u2019s a major risk to skip orthodontic treatment when your dentist or orthodontist recommends it.<\/p>\n

Gum Disease<\/h3>\n

This leads to another problem, one which can be even more harmful: an increased chance of gum disease. Crooked teeth can sit awkwardly against your gums, creating areas where they aren\u2019t as tightly wrapped around your tooth. These additional pockets are the perfect hiding place for bacteria.<\/p>\n

Like your teeth, the increased difficulty in cleaning these bacteria away will almost certainly lead to chronic decay and eventual gum disease. Gum disease isn\u2019t always apparent without a trip to the dentist \u2013 which makes it particularly dangerous to your health!<\/p>\n

Bad Breath<\/h3>\n

With difficult to clean teeth and a higher chance of developing gum disease, your chances of developing chronic bad breath increase too. Lingering bacteria in your mouth is the primary contributor of chronic halitosis.<\/p>\n

When you can\u2019t brush key surfaces in your mouth, food particles and bacteria that grow there have an easier time living and growing. Eventually, you may come to notice a persistent bad breath that even brushing won\u2019t get rid of \u2013 because you can\u2019t clean every surface.<\/p>\n

Increased Chance of Health Issues<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, it doesn\u2019t stop there. The increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease from misaligned teeth can lead to even more issues that extend past your mouth. Your body\u2019s immune system has to respond to plaque and bacteria in your mouth that\u2019s causing gum disease, which can have secondary effects on your entire body.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the most common health risks associated with gum disease:<\/p>\n