Between a stunning smile and disease-free gums, what more could you get from having straight teeth?
A lot more, it turns out.
Perfectly straight teeth are a confidence boost like no other, but they’ll also save you tens of thousands of dollars in dental appointments down the line.
The benefits of straight teeth are more than just aesthetic. Read on to find out why.
1. Better Hygiene
It turns out that crooked teeth are harder to brush and floss. Irregular spacing, crowing, and malocclusion can make navigating with toothbrushes and floss that much more difficult.
Heard of plaque? Maybe from the label on your toothpaste?
Well, plaque forms when bacteria in your mouth mix with undigested food and saliva. Over time, the plaque on hard-to-reach surfaces of teeth release acids that eat away at your enamel. Worn down enamel can expose the nerves in your teeth, eventually leading to uncomfortable sensitivity and even pain and more serious dental diseases.
Even people with straight teeth are pretty non-compliant with brushing molars at the back of their mouth, which is where cavities more commonly occur. When teeth are irregularly spaced or crowded, the areas you neglect become areas ripe for tooth decay.
Straightening your teeth ensures each tooth gets an equal surface area and makes it easier for someone to keep up with dental hygiene. Trust us: the older you get, the more important this will be if you don’t want to pay exorbitant amounts for dental treatments down the line.
2. Improvements to Digestion
When we asked Saperstein Orthodontics, they informed us that straight teeth benefit also extend to digestion.
Straight, healthy teeth and gums help you chew food more thoroughly, and ensure that your teeth are worn down equally.
When your teeth are properly aligned, there’s less strain put on your jaws to masticate thoroughly. This ensures you can chew your food adequately, setting up the rest of your digestive system for optimum nutrient absorption.
Unchewed food puts undue stress on your digestive system and is something you’d want to avoid at all costs.
3. Improved Speech
When you have bulky, crowded teeth in your mouth, you can develop unclear speech. They increase the chance you’ll develop certain speech impediments or lisps.
It turns out teeth are super important for speech; they direct airflow, and the way the tongue taps against them affects our ability to produce certain sounds.
If you’re self-conscious about the way you speak as an adult, then we highly recommend the benefits of Invisalign trays. These are discreet but effective ways to straighten your teeth, and there are multiple financing options available so you can coordinate orthodontic treatment with speech therapy.
4. Reduce Chronic Pain
If you suffer from conditions like TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) you just might want to get your teeth fixed.
Misaligned teeth can affect the way your upper and lower jaw connect, which can put a strain on your masticator muscles over time.
This can lead to conditions like TMJ and chronic migraines, which can spread to your neck and back.
Properly aligned straight teeth can definitely alleviate this issue so you experience less tension and pain in the area.
Benefits of Straight Teeth: Seek a Consultation Today
We’re excited to see your beautiful smile!
There is a range of benefits to having healthy, straight teeth that go beyond just the aesthetics. Because teeth are so important, taking care of them can save you money in treating a range of secondary diseases in the long run. Please don’t underestimate the benefits of straight teeth.
Visit our health section for more!
