Crooked teeth don’t just affect your smile—they can negatively affect your dental and overall health, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Problems can include:
Increased risk of tooth decay
Increased risk of tooth injury
Decreased health of jawbones and joint problems
Difficulty eating food
Concerns about teeth straightening procedures may cause some people to not seek treatment, but Mayo Clinic points out that braces are a generally very safe treatment option. There are also a number of safe and more modern orthodontic treatments available.
“Orthodontic treatment to straighten the teeth is a safe procedure if done properly by a licensed dentist or orthodontist,” Norman J. Nagel, DDS, from Nagel Orthodontics, tells WebMD Connect to Care. Nagel adds that there are many benefits of teeth straightening.