February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a…
Three Ways Crooked Teeth can Harm your Oral Health
Crooked teeth are more than a cosmetic issue; they can affect the status of your oral health too. The next time you think you are vain for wanting straight teeth, consider it a gift for your oral health. With straight teeth, you are able to have cleaner teeth which means less tooth decay, gum disease, and better overall health.
Tooth Decay
If your teeth overlap one another, it is difficult to keep them clean. Even if you brush and floss regularly, you might not be getting them as clean as you think. This could lead to cavities down the road. This occurs when the bacteria that hides on your teeth is not removed, which may not be your fault. It can get caught in the nooks and crannies of your crooked teeth. Over time, this bacteria combines with the acids and sugars in the foods that you consume and begin to eat away at the enamel of your teeth, causing tooth decay.
Gum Disease
The same reasons that you can get tooth decay apply to the risk of gum disease. Crooked teeth, whether they are overcrowded or just not perfectly aligned, can cause gum irritations because the plaque and bacteria are left to sit on your gums. Because gum disease is not easily detected in its earliest stages, you typically will not know you have it unless we tell you at your visit or you begin to have swollen or bleeding gums, which sometimes does not occur until the later stages of the disease. Straight teeth naturally lead to healthier gums that help fight against the risk of this disease.
Overall Health
Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body. If you have serious oral health issues, such as decay, gum disease, or oral cancer, it can affect the rest of your body in a negative way. Gum disease can cause heart disease, stroke, complications with diabetes, and respiratory issues. Oral cancer can spread to other areas of your body, putting your life at risk. Containing these diseases or preventing them from occurring in the first place is reliant on the alignment of your teeth – the straighter your teeth, the less likely it is that you will suffer from illnesses such as these.
If you are worried about the status of your oral health, come in for an appointment. We can help you determine the necessary steps to ensure that your teeth are properly aligned and your oral health is in good condition.
Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.