Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so when you have crooked teeth it really impacts the way you feel about yourself. You may not even allow yourself to smile at all! Have you ever wondered why your teeth are crooked in the first place?
Genetics
Experts say the most common reason behind misaligned or crooked teeth is that it’s an inherited trait. Just like the color of your eyes or hair, you may be predisposed to having teeth that aren’t in straight alignment. Some genetic conditions can influence your bite, making top and bottom teeth improperly meet when you close your mouth. The pressure on your teeth from a misaligned bite can produce crooked teeth.
Mouth and jaw shape
Another reason for teeth being out of place is that your mouth may be too small. Your teeth become crowded and shift in order to make space for all your teeth to fit. Also, it’s possible your upper and lower jaws aren’t the same size or didn’t form correctly.
Timing
Early loss of baby or adult teeth can both result in making the teeth left behind become crooked. Tooth overcrowding can occur when permanent teeth replace the baby teeth. Misalignment of teeth can happen when adult teeth shift to take over the spots where adult teeth have fallen out.
Trauma
Jaw or facial trauma often shifts your teeth out of place. Your jaw may also become misaligned due to an injury. In fact, traumas can cause some of the most severe cases of crooked teeth.
Bad habits
Common oral health issues during childhood may cause overlapping and twisted teeth. These include habits like thumb sucking, prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle, and tongue thrusting. These behaviors may apply force to the teeth and cause them to shift into improper positions.
Disease
Gum disease can impact the position of your teeth, especially when you lose teeth due to advanced gum disease called periodontitis. Your remaining teeth may shift with the extra space in your mouth. Also, diseases such as cancer can result in mouth or jaw tumors that alter the location of your teeth and jaw.
Toronto Dentist – Dr. Cruz
Even though your teeth were meant to last your whole life, for one reason or another that isn’t always the case. If you are missing any teeth, it’s important to replace them to protect both your oral health and your overall health. Dental implants are one option for replacing teeth. Here are some facts you should know about implants to help you decide if they are right for you.
What are dental implants?
Substituting for the roots of missing teeth, dental implants become an anchor for a replacement tooth or crown. The artificial root is inserted into your jaw, and then a replacement tooth is connected to the post.
What are the benefits of implants?
• Looks and feels like your natural teeth
• Fits perfectly to allow normal speech
• Feels comfortable because it’s a permanent part of your mouth
• Functions like your own teeth so you can eat with confidence
• Provides convenience because it stays in your mouth permanently and no adhesives are needed
• Allows nearby teeth to remain intact, which improves your overall oral health
• Meant to last a lifetime with proper dental hygiene
• Improves your self-esteem by giving you back your smile
Are implants right for everyone?
People of all ages are candidates for dental implants, as long as you’re in overall good health and have healthy gums. You also need enough bone to hold the implant. A strong commitment to proper oral hygiene is also necessary to achieve the best success with implants. Talk with your dentist to determine if dental implants are the best choice in restoring your oral health.
Toronto dental implants dentist
Having straight teeth is more than just looking nice. Sure, most people want to feel better about themselves and be able to dazzle others with a great smile. But the benefits of straight teeth go beyond just cosmetics.
Easier cleaning
Straight teeth are easier to clean because there are fewer areas that are difficult to reach, and your toothbrush can contact all of the surfaces. Flossing is also more successful because you can get rid of food particles better when your teeth are spaced properly. Access to all areas of your teeth helps you avoid plaque and tartar buildup, and you can maintain a bright smile.
Healthier teeth and gums
Because you’re able to fight off tooth decay with better cleaning, it’s likely that you’ll have fewer cavities if your teeth are positioned properly. You’ll also have lower risk of gum disease, since there should be less bacteria trapped between your gums and teeth. Tooth decay and gum disease can both eventually lead to tooth loss. Your goal of healthy teeth and gums is more achievable with straight teeth.
Consistent wear
When your top and bottom teeth line up correctly, they provide the best chewing and biting ability. If your teeth aren’t in good alignment, they can wear down excessively and more quickly than they should. Straight teeth that fit together appropriately will decrease the amount of stress on your teeth, leading to a longer and healthier lifespan.
Overall health benefits
Headaches and facial pain caused by an improper bite may disappear with proper tooth alignment. Avoiding chronic oral infections from gum disease will lessen your risks for serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Also, speech may improve with corrected teeth positions.
Emotional benefits
Clearly, your self-esteem will improve when you feel good about the appearance of your smile. People with pretty smiles are often able to relax, smile, and laugh more when they know their teeth are straight and healthy.
Dr. Cruz is Cosmetic dentist in Toronto Canada
Since baby teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent ones, baby teeth don’t really matter, right? Wrong!! That is a misconception, because taking care of the first set of teeth is important. Children should learn proper dental hygiene from the start, so that those good habits will last a lifetime. The same threats apply to both baby teeth and adult teeth, so you should learn how to prevent problems early. Also, unhealthy teeth in childhood can cause low self esteem, infections, pain, and nutrition and growth issues.
What are some dangers to your child’s teeth? Sometimes things that you haven’t even considered will put your child’s oral health at risk. Here are some hidden dangers to children’s teeth:
• Eating or drinking after brushing teeth at bedtime
• Sleeping with a bottle or sippy cup of juice or milk
• Drinking too much fruit juice during the day
• Eating unhealthy snacks between meals, such as sugary foods, chewy items, hard candy, and chips
• Eating sticky snacks like candies, fruit snacks, and raisins
• Getting lots of extra sugar from sugary cereals, chocolate milk, or unhealthy snacks
• Not getting enough fluoride, commonly a problem when your child only drinks bottled water instead of fluoridated tap water
How can you avoid these dangers? Either brush or help brush your child’s teeth, and don’t allow any more eating or drinking after bedtime brushing. Encourage healthy snacking and avoid items known to increase tooth risks. Ask your dentist about whether your child is a candidate for fluoride supplements. Finally, develop a routine of taking your child to the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
Dentist in Toronto
You’ve probably heard all your life about some foods that are bad for your teeth, but did you know there are other foods that are great for your oral health? Let’s learn about some food ingredients that will keep you smiling.
Salmon
Full of vitamin D, which helps your teeth get the full benefits of calcium from foods that you eat
Onions
Contain sulpher compounds and lowers bacteria that leads to tooth decay
Strawberries
High in fiber and vitamin C, these berries help keep gums healthy while scrubbing your teeth when you eat them
Pineapple
Creates a natural mouthwash by increasing saliva production and providing citric acid. Also contains vitamin C and an enzyme called Bromelain, which promotes healing in your mouth
Quinoa
Grain full of teeth-strengthening minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus
Sesame Seeds
Scrubbing qualities reduce plaque, and calcium content aids your teeth
Shitaki Mushrooms
Contain a sugar called Lentinan, known to prevent mouth bacteria
Wasabi
Japanese horseradish containing compounds that hinder bacteria growth
Sea Salt
Has a blend of minerals that strengthen teeth
Xylitol
Sugar substitute that prevents tooth decay, and is beneficial to gums
Stevia
Natural sweetener that doesn’t create acid on your teeth like sugar does
Family and Cosmetic Dentist in Toronto Canada
Modern dentistry offers remedies for just about every oral health problem you might experience. Let’s talk about some of the most common problems and ways to improve the beauty and health of your smile.
Stained teeth
Stubborn stains from colored drinks and tobacco are hard to remove with brushing, so teeth whitening is a popular solution. It’s available in at-home kits or professionally in dental offices.
Chipped or gapped teeth
Minor cosmetic issues may be treated with dental bonding, which can hide imperfections quickly and painlessly.
Tooth decay
A dentist will remove decay and usually fill the cavity with a composite resin filling. Dental inlays or onlays are sometimes needed to reinforce the tooth.
Cracked or broken teeth
For a severely damaged tooth, a crown may be necessary to provide stability and save the tooth.
Missing teeth
Dental implants and bridges are solutions to missing teeth, and can save your mouth’s function and appearance.
Crooked teeth or misaligned bite
Cosmetic dentistry can repair minor issues, but significant problems may warrant orthodontic treatment. Invisalign® clear braces provide a modern alternative to traditional braces.
Bleeding gums
Swollen, bleeding gums are often the initial signs of gum disease. Treatment ranges from deep cleaning to surgery, depending on how advanced the disease is.
Jaw Pain
The joint where your jawbone and skull meet is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Stress or misalignment can cause pain, and dentists provide treatment like appliances, orthodontics, or relaxation techniques.
Unattractive smile
If you’re unhappy with your smile, porcelain veneers may be placed over your teeth to mask many problems. Severe dental problems can call for full mouth reconstruction, which provides a complete overhaul of your smile and transforms it completely.
Cosmetic dentist in Toronto Canada
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