By EKalman January 20, 2022 - 6:30am

Straightening your teeth has more advantages than simply a more attractive smile. Crooked teeth can have a variety of physical and psychological effects that might have a detrimental impact on your daily life. You may become so accustomed to your misaligned teeth that you begin to modify your eating and speaking habits without even noticing it.

Read on to learn about the 7 ways misaligned teeth can negatively impact your physical and psychological well-being.

1. Bite problems
Biting foods can be difficult if you have an overbite, underbite, or gaps between your upper and lower jaws. A bad bite may cause you to rely more on your rear teeth. This can cause your rear teeth to deteriorate or become damaged. In severe cases, choking hazards can result from inadequately chewed food getting caught in your throat and obstructing your airway.

2. Jaw disorders
Your jawbone and your skull are connected by the temporomandibular joint. TMJ issues are more likely to occur if your upper and lower jaws are out of alignment. TMJ disorders are characterized by jaw discomfort and pain, as well as headaches induced by clenching and gnashing of teeth.

3. Decreased self-esteem
Misaligned teeth can have a negative impact on your self-esteem. You may develop social anxiety and become ashamed to speak in front of others. Crooked teeth can also make you afraid of being judged negatively in social situations. Straightening with Invisalign aligners is a terrific method to improve your self-confidence while also giving you a beautiful smile.

4. Difficulty pronouncing specific sounds
Some sounds might be challenging, if not impossible, to pronounce when you have crooked teeth. This can make you nervous during job interviews or create anxiety when speaking in front of a large group of people. A lisp or whistling might also be caused by misaligned teeth.

5. Inadequate brushing and flossing
You can have a hard time reaching particular areas of your mouth with a toothbrush if your teeth are misaligned. Misaligned teeth can also make flossing problematic due to excessively small crevices between your teeth. All of these factors can contribute to tooth discoloration, decay, cavities, and oral infection.

6. Unnatural chewing patterns
Crooked rear teeth can force you to chew with only half of your teeth. Alternatively, you can begin chewing with teeth that aren't sharp enough. This can make you feel insecure when you're eating. Due to repeated wear and tear, your rear teeth can become damaged and painful.

7. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically when you're asleep. The delay in your breathing pattern will cause you to wake to start breathing again, resulting in a restless night. Narrowed airways and misaligned teeth are the main causes of sleep apnea.

Your tongue may fall into your throat as a result of misaligned teeth, causing you to choke at night. If you have an overbite, you may find yourself sleeping with your mouth open. If you sleep on your back, this can put your airway in danger of being blocked.

The bottom line
Crooked teeth can make it difficult to make specific sounds and eat certain foods. They also put you at risk for TMJ disorders, inadequate dental hygiene, and potentially fatal disorders including sleep apnea.

Your teeth’ unattractive look can also lead to decreased self-esteem and social anxiety. If you have any of the aforementioned issues, you should consider straightening your teeth. To find out if you're a suitable candidate for Invisalign aligners, see a dentist right away.