Some adults choose not to get braces because they believe having crooked teeth only affects the way their smile looks, but misalignment can also damage key aspects of your overall dental health as well.

According to a study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 75 percent of Americans have crooked teeth. Many of these people choose not to get their smiles straightened because they are afraid of how they’ll look with braces, and therefore put themselves at risk of damaging their dental health so as to not harm their appearance.

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The American Dental Association (ADA) says crooked teeth can lead to periodontal disease. This infection may damage the tissue that supports teeth and passes through two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. 

Gingivitis is a milder form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums and is reversible, according to the ADA. Periodontitis is a more destructive form of the infection.

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Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth & how they work. It can also help to look after the long-term health of the teeth, gums & jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth.

Many people have crowded or crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment will straighten the teeth or move them into a better position. This can not only improve their appearance but also the way the teeth bite together, while also making them easier to clean. In some patients, the upper front teeth can stick out & look unsightly. These ‘prominent’ teeth are more likely to be damaged, but orthodontic treatment can move them back into line. In others, the way the upper & lower jaws meet can cause teeth to look unsightly & lead to an incorrect bite. Orthodontic treatment may be able to correct both.

When the teeth don’t meet correctly, this can put strain on the muscles of the jaw, causing jaw & joint problems & in some cases headaches. Orthodontic treatment can help you to bite more evenly & reduce the strain. Orthodontic treatment is generally best carried out in children, but adults can have orthodontic treatment too & more & more are doing. Age is less important than having the proper number of teeth. In children, it may be necessary to wait for enough teeth to come through before starting treatment.