When we speak, the tongue and teeth interact to create shapes and positions that emanate sounds. As teeth become crowded, the tongue is hindered from moving freely in the mouth – resulting in pronunciation difficulty. Words and sounds requiring tongue-to-tooth contact become almost impossible if teeth are in the wrong place. As crowded teeth result in a change in the way you speak, poor speech habits can be developed and speech therapy may be required to correct pronunciation.

For children, orthodontic appointments are recommended regularly to evaluate the bite and if crowding is likely. This allows for early intervention and minimises the likelihood of developing poor speech habits.

Teeth crowding can result in increased difficulty flossing and brushing. Even with regular brushing and flossing, crowded teeth overlap and push up against each other and bacteria can linger. Becoming almost impossible to remove, crowded teeth can lead to bad breath as good oral hygiene practices can’t be effectively completed.

Bad breath can lead to a wide variety of problems and concerns, including negatively impacting self-confidence and relationships.

The development of periodontal, or gum disease is a common consequence of crooked teeth left untreated. Caused by the transformation of bacteria into plaque, gum disease can have serious effects on your oral health. As crowded teeth result in gums not fitting securely around your teeth, bacteria ends up in areas that aren’t easily accessible by toothbrushes and flossing. As bacteria is left, it turns into plaque and contributes to the acceleration or development of gum disease even despite brushing and flossing efforts.

Aside from speech, breath and gum disease, crowded teeth can impact the overall function of your mouth. Often, crowded bottom teeth result in one tooth protruding and rubbing up against upper teeth excessively. This can lead to serious wear of tooth enamel and damage to the teeth. Protruding upper teeth are more prone to chipping or cracking with impact or in accidents as they aren’t protected or in line with remaining teeth. Individuals with crowded teeth also find that their jaw alignment is disturbed and chewing may become more labour intensive and less effective.

Interested in treatment options for teeth crowding? At Pitt St Dental Centre we are skilled in providing tailored teeth crowding treatments for patients of all ages. From traditional braces to modern Invisalign, we help you align teeth and jaws with orthodontic solutions.

Find out more about teeth crowding solutions and minimise your risks of bad breath, gum disease and speech problems. Contact us on (02) 9223 4767 to book an appointment with our Sydney dentists.