What are the Advantages of Teeth Straightening?
If you’re living with teeth that are overlapping, crooked, or otherwise misaligned, you may feel embarrassed by your smile. You might hide your mouth behind your hand when you laugh or only deliver a closed-lip smile in photographs. Misaligned teeth can have a marked impact on your confidence, but they can also negatively impact your health.
The good news is, there’s a solution. While most people are already aware of the widespread use of orthodontic braces, those with minor misalignment issues can also benefit from invisible aligners these days. These clear trays are practically invisible, reducing the embarrassment associated with wearing braces, and they’re removable, which makes eating and hygiene a lot easier.
Of course, many people are hesitant to straighten their teeth because of the attendant cost. However, you should know that there are several advantages to be gained by straightening your teeth, and the process could end up saving you money in the long run. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), straightening your teeth has the power to improve not only your mouth, but also your body and your mind. Here are a few benefits you’ll enjoy following teeth straightening.
Better Oral Health
You might think the number one advantage of teeth straightening is improved appearance, but cosmetic concerns take a backseat to your oral health. First and foremost, having straight teeth makes it easier to maintain oral health with your daily, at-home regimen.
When teeth are misaligned, brushing may not address tooth surfaces that are overlapping. You might not be able to floss effectively between crooked or overlapping teeth. This can leave a lot of food particles and bacteria on teeth, leading to plaque and tartar buildup, and eventually, gum disease and tooth decay, which can be complicated and expensive to address.
Straightening your teeth can help to improve oral hygiene, reduce gum inflammation and irritation, and generally increase your ability to maintain oral health. This is good news for your overall health, as well, since poor oral health has been linked to a variety of serious concerns such as diabetes and heart disease.
Prevention of Unwanted Problems
Misaligned teeth are not only more susceptible to disease and decay, but they’re also more likely to experience damage. Teeth that are out of alignment can rub against other teeth in unnatural ways when you chew, causing more rapid wear, as well as cracks and chips that can lead to decay.
Injuries are also more prevalent. Teeth that stick out at odd angles could cause you to bite cheeks and lips more frequently than straight teeth, and they’re more likely to suffer damage in the event of an accident (such as an auto collision or sports injury, just for example). Having straight teeth could help you to avoid both premature wear and trauma.
Improved Digestion
Misaligned teeth often coincide with misaligned jaws and bite patterns. What does this mean? It means you may have trouble chewing effectively and/or you may experience discomfort when chewing. The result could be that you don’t properly masticate your food before swallowing.
Breaking down your food through chewing and the introduction of saliva aids in digestion. When you swallow large chunks of food, they are harder for your body to digest, and this can lead to all kinds of digestive problems and discomfort. Well-chewed food leads to better digestion.
Clearer Speech
Speaking involves the use of several oral mechanisms, including the mouth, tongue, and vocal cords. When one of these parts isn’t working properly, it could affect your speech pattern and even result in a speech impediment. Whether you suffer from a lisp or problems saying other sounds or words, straightening your teeth could help to alleviate certain speaking difficulties and improve your ability to communicate.
Increased Confidence
When you can speak and eat normally and flash a winning smile, you’re going to feel a lot more confident about your ability to interact with others and perform in social situations. Crooked teeth are more than just an embarrassing eyesore – they can have a negative impact on so many aspects of your daily life.
Straightening your teeth can provide a major boost to your confidence and give you a reason to smile, which will improve your mood as a result. With all the advantages inherent to teeth straightening, this is the icing on the cake.