Effect of tooth alignment on tooth/gum/jaw health

[musicalme]

Hi all! I am turning 30 soon and am considering getting braces as a "present" (ha!) to myself. I have not had a consultation yet because I am waiting for my next dental cleaning to ask my dentist for a recommendation, but in the meantime I'm making myself a little crazy with all the unknowns!

I'm trying to get a feel for how much I need braces for cosmetic reasons, vs. how much I need them for health reasons. I would feel a lot better about the time, money, and pain involved if it was for my health at least as much as for my vanity (not that that's not important too!).

Here's my questions that I can't wait for my appointment to find out!

1. My gums are always a little swollen and tender. My dentist once told me straightening my teeth would help that. True? Or not?

2. I have an overbite. I've noticed that when I bite down, my molars don't touch...my teeth come together at my lower canines (my lower canines hit my top teeth). Am I at risk of damaging my teeth with this kind of bite?

3. When I chew tough foods for a long time (a big steak for example) my jaw pops and feels sore for a while after. This is new in the last year or so. Is that related to the problem in my second question?

Thanks for your thoughts! I'm really excited and scared about this!

[TMJJill]

I'd recommend seeking out a Functional Orthodontist. They are trained to look at the relationship of your entire bite as part of your treatment.

Congrats on your decision to treat yourself! Happy Birthday.

[ArchWired28]

Hey, I am also turning 30 next months and I am looking forward to having braces off! Probably won't happen util the end of the year, but I am getting there, yay! So far, no regrets.
My understanding is that if your molars do not touch, that puts increased strain on your front teeth. Which may lead to all sorts of long term problems, such as chipped/worn front teeth and maybe even TMJD. I am not sure about the gums though, but chronically swollen gums is no good. I think chronic inflammation can lead to gum recession and bone loss in a long run.
As TMJJill said, try to consult a functional orthodontist, the one who focuses not only on straightening the teeth, but keeping the teeth, gums, muscles and joints in harmony. It may be hard to find one depending on where you live, and they usually charge more as well (in my experience). But don't get focused solely on that. If you trust your dentist, listen to his referrals and consult with whoever he suggests. You may also do your own search, there is no reason you cannot consult a few specialists and I suggest you do so (espeically since many of them do it for free). Be prepared to being offered different treatment plans (such as extractions vs not), and keep your options open. In the end of the day, listen to your gut feeling and go with the one you feel comfortable with. I think you will have a better feeling on what I am talking about when you start the search. Good luck to you! Don't forget to check back and let us know how you are doing!

[musicalme]

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I can't find a functional orthodontist near me (not according to Google, anyway), but whoever I see, I will definitely make sure they pay attention to my bite and will have a plan to work on it.