|  | Dental Health | Gum Disease

Long-Term Effects of Tooth Crowding

Crowded teeth are a gold-mine for dentists and orthodontists. Orthodontia -- the straightening of teeth, does not come cheaply. The average cost of orthodontic treatment now tops $5,000 as of 2011. Some people who need it are unable to afford it, often living their entire lives with severely crowded and overlapping teeth. It is hard not only on self-esteem, but extremely hard on their health, as well.

  1. Crowding and Overlapping of Teeth

    • Malocclusion -- improper bite, crooked, crowded or protruding teeth, are the only tooth problems considered hereditary. If one or both parents had orthodontic issues, their children probably will too. Malocclusion in some cases can be severe. Correction involves removal of some teeth and sometimes orthognathic -- jaw correction, surgery. A bite can be malformed in many ways. An overbite can be extremely pronounced to the point that the lips are unable to meet. An under-bite can give someone the appearance of a bulldog when he smiles, while an open bite can make eating and speaking extremely difficult. Crowding of the teeth can occur in conjunction with any of these bite conditions, adding to the problems that the patient already has.

    Crowding of Teeth and Gum Disease

    • Severely crowded or overlapped teeth are difficult to clean properly. Some cases of crowding literally put one tooth right in front of the other, making it difficult for the average person to clean. Toothbrushing is only marginally successful and flossing a nightmare. It becomes easier not to brush teeth, especially when the gums are tender and bleed easily. Plaque and bacteria grow causing accumulation of calculus or tartar. Over time, if left untreated, calculus gets under the gum line and the waste products in the bacteria attack the supporting tooth structures, dissolving them. The patient then has a full-blown case of periodontitis or gum disease. His breath will smell foul and there will be an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Gum disease is the number one cause tooth loss.

    Crowding of the Teeth and Decay

    • Because of the difficulty patients with crowded teeth have in keeping them clean, decay is a significant problem. Decay, caused by the waste products of bacteria, feed on the enamel and the softer dentin underneath. Decay will develop in areas where plaque becomes trapped. Decay is common between the teeth in patients without crowding and is much more common in the case of crowded teeth. The decay gets in areas that are almost impossible to see. Usually by the time of discovery, it involves several surfaces of the tooth. It is difficult for the dentist to get to the decay.

    Caring for Severely Crowded Teeth

    • For patients with crowded teeth, routine dental examinations and cleanings are essential every six months. In the case of gum disease, the dentist will need to see the patient every three months to maintain a level of dental care that will keep the disease from causing the loss of teeth. A soft toothbrush is recommended as well as waxed, ultra-thin dental floss to be able to maneuver between the crowding. A Water-Pik is an excellent tool for the patient with crowding. Rinsing the mouth with equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide helps oxygenate tender gum tissue. Toothpicks can be used regularly to remove food from crowded areas.

Gum Disease - Related Articles