What Your Bite Says About Your Health

Published by Dr. Charles Gemmi

A Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Charles Gemmi has been a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontics Limited since 2000 and is a member of the teaching staff at Einstein Medical Center. Orthodontics Limited is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA.

Orthodontic treatment can be expensive and you may be wondering if you really need to get them. You may be tempted to brush it off as an aesthetic issue, but the condition of your bite can forecast a lot of problems your dental health today and in the future.

Orthodontic treatment can be expensive and you may be wondering if you really need to get them. You may be tempted to brush it off as an aesthetic issue, but the condition of your bite can forecast a lot of problems your dental health today and in the future.

Day to Day Functioning

Depending on the severity of your bite issue, your daily life could be impacted. You may have difficulty chewing and speaking and may experience pain and discomfort in your jaw. It is also going to be harder to keep your teeth clean with a lot of crowding in your mouth which makes you more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.

Your Mental Health

While aesthetics is certainly not as important as your health, your appearance can impact your mental health. If you are embarrassed about the condition of your smile, you will smile less and feel less confident.  You may feel depressed and stop going out and doing fun things because you are too embarrassed. When you are feeling more confident, you will smile more and be more comfortable going after you dreams and being engaging in relationships. Your overall health can really be impacted by the health of your smile.

Your Dental Health

The condition of your teeth and jaw can also deteriorate more the longer you live with your bite issue. Here is what could be happening inside your mouth:

  • Tooth Pain – if your teeth are even just slightly off their alignment it can cause nerve pain. Don’t ignore tooth pain and expect it will eventually go away. See the dentist as soon as you can.
  • Jaw-joint Pain – A bad bite can put extra strain on your temporomandibular joint called the TMJ. If you hear a crackling sound or a sound like something is popping when you move your jaw then you should make an appointment to get evaluated. Some people may experience frequent headaches from muscle pain in their jaw.
  • Unnecessary Wear and Tear – While in the regular activities of our lives there is always some wear and tear on our teeth and gums, when you have bite issues, it becomes exacerbated. Because of your misaligned teeth, your teeth will wear down quicker leading to expensive dental work to fix it. Wear and tear on your gums can also lead to gum recession which is not easy to fix.

Your Overall Health

It is not just your oral health that you have to worry about either. Studies have shown that gum disease is linked to other health issues like heart disease. So not taking proper care of your teeth can also lead to problems with your overall health too.As you can see ignore bite issues will only leader to further problems down the line so it is so much more than just an aesthetic issue. Don’t wait any longer to get evaluated by an orthodontist to see if braces can help.

Here are some tips to help you find the right orthodontist near you:

Get referrals from family and friends. Ask about their particular experience and any pros and cons about a particular orthodontist that they can share. Your regular dentist is also a good person to ask for a referral. Do your own research. Start by googling orthodontist in Philadelphia. Look for reviews and check out the websites of orthodontists in the Philadelphia area to get an initial feel for who is out there and what they offer. Look for orthodontists who are licensed members of the American Association of Orthodontics.

Set up several consultations. Most of the time, we can’t really get a good feel for a new doctor or dentist until we go in for a visit so it is important to set up a consultation with at least a few orthodontists. While it can be time-consuming, it can really help you feel more confident about your final choice. Make sure you ask about credentials, specialties and years of experience as well treatment options and costs. Find out how flexible their office hours are and also about their emergency policy.

While you are there, you should pay attention to your surroundings. Is everything clean and sterile? Are they using the latest technology? Do they keep their patient’s comfort in mind at all times? Is the office comfortable and the staff friendly? Also pay attention to how the orthodontist interacts with you. Is he very brusque, acting like he doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with you? Or does he really sit down and get to know you and what your needs are?

If you have a fear of going to the dentist, make sure that the orthodontist you choose has a gentle chairside manner. Everyone has their own needs when it comes to which types of personalities they prefer to interact with so make sure you are going to be comfortable because you are going to be spending a lot of time with this doctor and his staff. Once you pick an orthodontist, you will be given a treatment plan based on your needs and any cost considerations. Some options are a little more expensive than other so weigh the pros and cons for each. The most common options are the traditional metal braces, tooth-colored ceramic braces and Invisalign aligners.

The orthodontist can give you all the pertinent information you need to make a decision. If your dental insurance do not cover braces in its entirety, then you have other payment options like a healthcare credit card like CareCredit and a dental savings plan.

While the financial cost can be an especially daunting aspect of getting braces, don’t let that be the only barrier to a healthier smile. Crooked teeth and bite issues can impact so many parts of your life that you should take it very seriously. While orthodontic treatment is certainly a big investment in time and money, it is a crucial one to make to protect your health. Talk with different orthodontists to find the most affordable path for you to take.

Learn more about what your bite says about your health. Contact Orthodontics Limited today.

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