How Misaligned Teeth Affect Digestion and Nutrition

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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How Misaligned Teeth Affect Digestion and Nutrition

Misaligned teeth have long been considered primarily cosmetic problems. Something that ruins your smile in photos but nothing more serious than that.

But this just isn’t true…

Misaligned teeth can lead to serious consequences that affect how your food gets chewed, how your body absorbs nutrients, and how well your entire digestive system works.

In fact studies have found that about two-thirds of American adults suffer from clinically significant malocclusions.

So if you’re sporting some crooked teeth or an overcrowded bite then you definitely are not alone.

The good news is that understanding the link between misaligned teeth and digestion can help you correct the issue. Most problems can be identified early with preventative measures.

What you’ll discover:

• How Digestion Starts In The Mouth
• Misaligned Teeth Can Cause Nutrient Deficiencies
• How Jaw Issues Tie Into Everything
• Preventative Dental Care Can Help

How Digestion Starts In The Mouth

Let’s start with a little secret most people don’t know…

Digestion doesn’t begin in the stomach. In fact, it doesn’t even begin when food enters the stomach.

Digestion begins in the mouth.

When you chew your food, your teeth break it down into smaller pieces that are easier to work with. As you chew, saliva is released into your mouth which begins to break down carbohydrates.

Properly aligned teeth make sure food is chewed evenly. Food can then enter the stomach already broken down and in digestible form.

Misaligned teeth throw this process out of whack. That’s why scheduling a preventive dental checkup with a quality orthodontic care provider is one of the best preventative measures to take. Catching dental issues early can help you correct your bite and avoid digestive problems in the future.

Think about it…

If your teeth can’t properly break down your food in your mouth then your stomach and intestines are forced to work that much harder. Extra stress on your digestive system can cause a number of problems.

Misaligned Teeth Can Cause Nutrient Deficiencies

Lets dive a little deeper into how improper bites can affect digestion.

When your teeth are misaligned they don’t chew food efficiently. What this means is that when food enters your stomach it’s not broken down into optimal sizes.

Your stomach and intestines are now forced to work harder.

Large food particles are difficult for your body to process. Not only does this take more energy, your body also can’t absorb all of the vitamins and minerals from your food.

Eventually this can lead to serious nutrient deficiencies… even if you eat a perfectly balanced diet. Your diet may be on point but if your teeth aren’t properly prepared to chew then your body won’t be able to absorb what it needs.

Some other digestive symptoms that can occur due to poor chewing include:

• Bloating / gas
• Indigestion
• Acid reflux
• Constipation

It’s kind of scary when you think about it.

And if that doesn’t bother you, consider this:

Because chewing can be painful or uncomfortable when you have crooked teeth people tend to shy away from certain foods. Foods like raw vegetables, nuts, and lean meats all require more chewing than others.

These are also some of the most nutritious foods you can eat. So when they get left out of your diet because your teeth hurt, your overall nutrition takes a nosedive.

How Jaw Issues Tie Into Everything

Misaligned teeth don’t just cause problems with chewing. Over time, a bad bite can cause jaw issues as well.

And jaw issues can seriously impact your health.

One study found that 43% of malocclusion sufferers developed temporomandibular disorders as well. Meaning almost half of the people with misaligned teeth studied also experienced jaw pain and dysfunction.

Problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ for short) can cause:

• Facial pain / headaches
• Inability to open your mouth very far
• Pain while chewing
• Jaw clicking / locking

When your jaw hurts, chewing becomes a pain literally. So what do you think people with TMJ do?

They start eating softer foods that are easier to chew. But these foods are usually highly processed and lacking in nutrients.

It all ties back to misaligned teeth eventually.

Misaligned teeth can cause jaw pain -> jaw pain leads to bad chewing habits -> bad chewing habits cause people to eat unhealthy foods -> unhealthy foods lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Stop the problem before it starts by keeping up with your dental care.

Preventative Dental Care Can Help

The best way to stop this cycle is by taking care of your teeth.

That means going to the dentist for regular checkups.

A lot of people only go to the dentist when something is wrong. By the time you can feel something is wrong with your teeth it may be too late to avoid problems.

Going to the dentist for regular checkups allows them to identify potential problems before they cause you pain. They can spot alignment problems, bite issues, and even catch signs of jaw pain before it starts.

During these visits your dentist will:

• Check the alignment of your bite.
• Look for uneven wear on your teeth. This is a sign some teeth are doing more work than others.
• Watch for signs of jaw pain. Your dentist can spot early signs of TMJ and help you correct it.
• Recommend treatment to correct issues. Whether that be braces, clear aligners, or something else your dentist will help you figure out the best option.

Timing can be crucial for many dental problems. The longer you let bite issues continue, the more stress you are putting on your digestive system.

While it’s ideal for children to be checked at a young age, don’t think adults are exempt from this issue.

You can correct misaligned teeth at any age. Taking care of your teeth now can dramatically improve your digestion by allowing you to chew food properly.

Wrapping It Up

Misaligned teeth can cause serious problems with your digestion. If your teeth can’t efficiently chew your food, your body has to work that much harder.

They cause:

• Larger food particles in the stomach
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Digestive problems
• Jaw pain
• Poor diet

Thankfully proper dental care is simple. Make sure you and your family are going to the dentist for regular checkups.

It’s the easiest way to identify teeth and jaw problems before they become serious. Not only will it save you from pain in the future, but it can dramatically improve your overall health by allowing you to digest food properly.