This article explains why having straighter teeth is important and what are some of the benefits.

 

A Smile Can Make All the Difference

Have you ever wondered why having straight teeth matters? While straight teeth are visually pleasing, they provide many benefits to your personal health as they are directly linked to your overall health and well being.

 

Improved Confidence 

People with imperfect teeth are often self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth and far less likely to smile. For these people, straightening their teeth with the help of Invisalign or braces can have a considerable impact on their self-confidence and overall quality of life. A survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry showed that people with straight teeth and beautiful smiles are perceived as being more friendly and approachable. So, having perfectly aligned, straight teeth not only make you look and feel more attractive but can improve the overall quality of your social life.

 

Improved Oral Hygiene

The importance of proper oral hygiene is no secret. Crooked or misaligned teeth create tight spaces that are often difficult to reach, making it difficult for you to brush and floss properly, leading to plaque and tartar buildup. Frequently, people with misaligned teeth and other orthodontic problems are at a greater risk of developing dental complications such as gingivitis (inflamed gums), period on titis (gum disease) and caries (dental cavities). Clean and straighter teeth translate to a brighter smile, a lessened risk of gum disease, fewer cavities, and many more health benefits.

 

Improved Overall Health

According to the American Dental Association, our physical health and well being are directly linked to our oral health. As previously mentioned, misaligned teeth create hard to reach spaces between the teeth, leading to plaque and bacterial buildup and resulting in chronic inflammation of your gums. For the last several decades a number of systemic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, have been associated with oral health.

 

Better Lifestyle with Straighter Teeth

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, when the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly, it can lead to dental complications such as grinding and excessive tooth wear and put uneven pressure on the jaw joints which significantly affects their functioning and can lead to a group of disorders known as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Common symptoms of TMDs include difficulty in mouth opening and chewing, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth, jaw pain, headaches, and migraines.

 

Improved Sleep 

Poorly aligned teeth can cause excessive tooth grinding, a condition called bruxism. People with bruxism often do not get a good night’s sleep, experience facial muscle soreness when they wake up in the morning and are often tired during the day. Straighter teeth lead to a comfortable and improved sleep.

 

Improved Speech

Did you know that misaligned teeth can create speech problems? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, certain orthodontic conditions can lead to speech problems if not treated in a timely manner. This is because our teeth play a pivotal role in speech and pronunciation. When teeth are not aligned properly, certain sounds that primarily depend on the contact between the tongue and the teeth at a specific location are affected.

 

Reduced Dental Injuries 

Accidents that involve head-on collisions can cause severe injuries if the teeth, particularly the front teeth, are excessively protruded or misaligned. Besides, improperly aligned teeth can result in accidental cheek or lip biting while eating or speaking.

It should be clear by now that crowded and misaligned teeth impact not only your oral health but also your overall health and wellbeing. At SeeSmile Dentistry, we believe everyone deserves to benefit from a healthy, beautiful, and long-lasting smile. That is why we strive to make our clear aligner therapy accessible and affordable for every patient who comes to our clinic and wants to improve their smile.