Everyone notices a beautiful smile. Straightening your teeth does far more than just enhance your appearance. It supports your overall health. Improved hygiene, reduced wear and tear, better digestion, and greater confidence all start with alignment. If you’ve only thought about teeth straightening for cosmetic reasons, this blog may change your perspective.
Oral Health Benefits of Straight Teeth
Having straight teeth can contribute to overall oral health by making it easier to clean each tooth. When teeth are not properly aligned, reaching all sides of each tooth can be harder during flossing and brushing. Crowded or crooked teeth make it more challenging to get in between each tooth because there isn’t enough room. When flossing isn’t regularly done correctly, it can lead to cavities and gum disease. As teeth are straightened, they are moved into a straight line and properly aligned. That way, floss can easily be moved between each set of teeth. They can also be brushed entirely on the front and back sides to remove all of the plaque buildup. Properly removing plaque reduces the risk of bad breath, tooth decay, and gingivitis.
Bite Alignment and Jaw Health
When teeth are straightened and properly aligned, it addresses common issues like overbite, underbite, and crossbite. All of these issues cause the top and bottom teeth to come together incorrectly. When aligned, the top and bottom teeth are paired to come together correctly when the jaw closes.
- An overbite causes the upper row of front teeth to overlap the lower front teeth excessively.
- An underbite causes the lower teeth to extend forward so that they extend beyond the upper front teeth.
- A crossbite is when the top and bottom teeth meet vertically but are not aligned horizontally.
Someone with an overbite, underbite, or crossbite may experience jaw fatigue, TMJ pain, or headaches. The misaligned teeth coming together create unnatural pressure during a biting action. This creates excess strain on the jawbone and muscles that move it. It can even create stress points on the teeth. Instead of the entire surface of each tooth absorbing the bite pressure, there are hot spots that experience an increased amount of pressure.
As the jaw moves through talking and chewing actions, the muscles fatigue and eventually become sore. The sore muscles can cause headaches. The excess pressure on the teeth can cause excessive wear at the contact points. Over time, this can cause worn spots that make the tooth’s nerve more sensitive and require dental work for repair.
Improved Speech
Severely misaligned teeth can negatively impact speech and digestion. Even just one or two teeth out of line can interfere with the tongue’s movement during speech. The result is having a speech impediment, maybe a lisp or slur. Straightening the teeth allows the tongue to move properly, improving speech patterns.
Healthier Digestion
Before digesting your meals, you have to chew them. Your top and bottom teeth should properly align to effectively chew and grind. For those with misaligned teeth, it’s not uncommon to avoid hard and chewy foods because of the discomfort associated with not chewing food enough.
Even when chewing the recommended 30 times before swallowing, improperly chewed food can lead to:
- Bloating and gas
- Constipation
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Nutrient malabsorption
- Stomach pain and nausea
- Weakened jaw muscles
- Weight gain
- Choking hazards
Boosted Confidence and Mental Well-Being
A person’s teeth and smile are among the first things people notice about others. If your smile isn’t something to be proud of, it can lead to decreased confidence and increased insecurity. It can impact how someone approaches social, professional, and romantic situations. These insecurities can start during the teen years but continue well into adulthood. In fact, people routinely report significant increases in self-esteem and image after receiving teeth straightening treatment.
With a more positive self-image, you are able to translate that confidence into other areas of your life. Smile and be more outgoing in social situations. Present a more personable and professional image in professional settings.
Preventive Investment in Long-Term Dental Health
Properly cared-for teeth experience fewer issues long term. Orthodontic treatment can help reduce the occurrence of tooth decay. Aligned teeth are easier to brush and keep clean, which can help you avoid fillings, root canals, gum disease, and dental crowns. With teeth straightening, you also reduce the risk of excessive tooth stress or wear from improper chewing, which means you’re less likely to experience unhealthy enamel wear or tooth chips.
Teeth Straightening Options
Several options are available for teeth straightening. Because the process isn’t one-size-fits-all, evaluating all options is important. Compare the benefits and potential cons of each straightening method. Consider your lifestyle, budget, and straightening needs, and talk to our dental professionals at Erik’s Dental Group about your smile restoration options.
- Traditional metal braces: These are often a top solution as the most effective remedy for severely misaligned teeth and bite issues. They also tend to be a more affordable option. The drawback is that they are very visible and require regular adjustments through routine office visits.
- Ceramic braces: Ceramic braces are less visible since they match the color of your teeth. However, they can be more fragile and susceptible to stains if not cared for properly.
- Lingual braces (behind the teeth): Braces mounted on the backside of your teeth are virtually invisible to others, but they are harder to clean and can impact speech.
- Clear aligners: Clear aligners like Invisalign® are removable and require fewer office visits. However, they’re not always ideal for complex or severe teeth alignment cases.
- Retainers: These are best used as a post-straightening maintenance step to keep newly aligned teeth in their new place. However, they can be helpful to make minor adjustments to small gaps or slight crowding when teeth need gentle nudging back into place.
Teeth Straightening with Erik’s Dental Group
Maybe you’re just starting to notice a shift in how your teeth align. Or maybe you’ve struggled with crooked teeth for years. In either case, a quick phone call to our Boynton Beach oral health team can put your mind at ease. We’ll help you evaluate your teeth straightening options, including Invisalign®.
Call us today at 561-733-4004 or connect with us online about your teeth straightening questions. Let’s restore your smile with aligned teeth so you can enjoy all these additional benefits.