While most people think of cosmetic dentistry as procedures and/or treatments that are done strictly to improve a person's smile, this is not necessarily true. Sure, having your teeth whitened may not do anything to improve or maintain your overall health, but here is some information about how other cosmetic procedures are not just about appearance. 

Orthodontics

You may not realize just how detrimental crooked teeth can be to your health. However, when teeth are crooked and overcrowded they make brushing and flossing properly difficult. Food particles get stuck between teeth that are not properly spaced and invite bacteria to grow. Then they multiply and start to grow under the gums and into the root area of the tooth. This not only causes gum disease but will create an infection that can travel through the blood vessels to other organs of the body. Luckily, orthodontic treatments can fix any crooked or overcrowded teeth before you encounter these problems.

Caps and Crowns

The different teeth in your mouth are responsible for different jobs. The front teeth are used for tearing food into pieces that can fit into your mouth. The back teeth are used to grind and smash the pieces into a pulp. The digestive process starts in the mouth, with your teeth. If you have badly chipped front teeth, you will not be able to tear food into the proper size to be ground adequately. When your back teeth are chipped or broken you are not breaking the food down properly and skipping an important part of digestion. The digestive process will not get off to a good start and the stomach will have to work harder to try to get all the nutrients from the food. This will not only cause stomach problems, but it can also prevent you from getting adequate nutrition from what you are eating. In order to avoid these problems, it's best to have a dentist place a cap or crown over any badly damaged teeth. 

Dentures and Implants

Missing teeth can cause many different health problems. Not only will you not be able to chew properly, causing the digestive problems mentioned above, but the bones in your jaw will also begin to deteriorate from a lack of stimulation. This will not only cause your facial structure to change, but it may also make it more difficult to speak properly. Dentures and implants can make sure that your jaw gets the stimulation it needs and that you are able to chew without any problems. 

If you have crooked, crowded, broken, or missing teeth, talk with your regular dentist about having some cosmetic dentistry done. Do not consider these procedures unnecessary; they have a true value to your overall health.