Are there any risks with straightening crooked teeth?

Are there any risks with straightening crooked teeth?

If you are looking for orthodontic treatment, you will likely have plenty of questions about how the teeth straightening process will go. Risks and side effects of tooth straightening procedures are relatively minor and can usually be managed with a simple treatment or – in many cases – time itself.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the potential risks that can be associated with straightening crooked teeth – and what your dentist or orthodontist can do to manage the situation. There are also warning signs to look out for with certain risks, which we’ll cover in a bit more detail below.

Discomfort or Soreness

Due to the nature of orthodontic treatments, it’s not unusual to feel some discomfort when you have your braces fitted or adjusted. This is because each slight adjustment pulls or pushes your teeth further into alignment with where they’re meant to be. Due to this, soft tissue such as gums can become slightly irritated. This is completely normal, and the more you have your braces or aligners adjusted, the more you will get used to the sensation.

The level of discomfort you may feel can depend on the severity of how crooked your smile is and how much this differs when compared to your eventual smile goals. With each slight adjustment of your braces you may experience some soreness that should subside within a few days as your mouth and teeth adjust to their new position.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can be an unfortunate yet sometimes avoidable side effect of having teeth straightened out. This is because certain styles of braces can make it difficult to reach all areas of the mouth and teeth, making it harder to clean them effectively.

Due to the increased risk of tooth decay developing, many orthodontists will advise that you spend more time on your dental health routine. In order to reach those trickier areas, this may involve interdental brushes and flossing on top of your regular brushing and mouthwash routine.

Following your treatment and the removal of your braces or aligners, some dentists will recommend a deep professional cleaning. This helps ensure your teeth are fully clean and ready for you to show off your new smile.

READ MORE: 4 Easy Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay

Gum Disease

Gum disease caused directly by orthodontic treatments is rare. However, if oral hygiene isn’t maintained – which can be the result of difficult to navigate braces – this can contribute to an increased risk of developing gum disease.

Signs of gum disease to look out for are as follows:

• Red, bleeding gums are a symptom of gum disease. Inflamed gums may also become tender, swollen and sore. You may notice this more when brushing your teeth.
• Bad breath due to the build-up of bacteria and potential infection
• Receding gums
• It might be difficult to tell if your tooth becomes loose or starts to pull away from the gum if you wear traditional braces. However, this is a sign of gum disease as the soft tissue begins to deteriorate in strength.

If you do notice any of the above symptoms, this may be indicative of potential gum disease. It’s important that you get any concerning signs checked out by your dentist. They will be the most familiar person in terms of managing your care and bespoke treatment plan, and are best placed to help intervene if gum disease does occur during orthodontic treatment.

It can be difficult to prevent gum disease if you have already started to develop symptoms before getting your teeth straightened. Most dental professionals will thoroughly examine your oral health before proceeding with any orthodontic treatment, and will generally advise you to have concerns fixed before treatment can begin.

To help prevent gum disease if you are wearing braces or aligners, there are a couple of tips you can follow. Do make sure you maintain a structured dental hygiene routine, brushing and using antibacterial mouthwash at least twice a day. You should also consider using floss to reach trickier areas around braces, though in some cases people find it easier to use water flossers or special orthodontic floss.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Traditional metal braces can, in some cases, cause slight irritation to soft tissue in the mouth. The gums, tongue and inner cheeks can be scratched by the metal over time, causing abrasions.

Luckily, modern orthodontic solutions can help fix this problem. Invisalign is a great option for avoiding these minor injuries, as it virtually eliminates the risk of soft tissue damage. The smooth aligners mean there’s no metal wiring or brackets to catch inside the mouth, and make for a much more comfortable tooth straightening experience overall.

Relapse

One of the risks if you don’t follow your treatment plan properly is that your teeth may ‘relapse’ back into their original positions. If you are using Invisalign, orthodontists and dental specialists will recommend that you keep your aligner trays in for a certain amount of time each day. It’s usually recommended that you wear them for 22-23 hours each day, removing them only to eat, drink and maintain oral hygiene.

Straighten Crooked Teeth at Ringway Dental

Although it can be slightly trickier to keep your teeth fully clean when you have braces, taking extra precautions and investing a bit more time in your daily routine can make all the difference in preventing potential risks. The most common issues with braces are minor soft tissue abrasions, though more modern solutions such as Invisalign aligners can help straighten teeth without this risk. Aligners can also be an ideal solution for keeping teeth perfectly clean whilst undergoing treatment, as they are fully removable.

If you’re interested in straightening your teeth in a way that minimises any risk, get in touch with our team at Ringway Dental. You can reach our reception team to book an initial appointment on 0161 437 2029. Our highly trained specialists will examine and assess how to best achieve your smile goals, providing a bespoke treatment plan aimed at getting the best results with minimal risk.

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