Sure, a straight set of teeth looks great. But the benefits of a properly aligned smile go far beyond aesthetics - it can also improve your oral health significantly.
This is why your dentist recommends correcting crooked, protruding, or uneven teeth. The process may be a little inconvenient at first, but the benefits that you'll enjoy later on can impact various areas of your life, including your career.
How Important is a Straight Set of Teeth?
Occlusion refers to how your teeth align. Ideally, there should be enough space for every tooth - no crowding or no rotating. Your upper teeth should also overlap the lower teeth slightly, and you should be able to close your mouth with ease.
Irregularities on tooth alignment, such as overcrowding and teeth gaps, is called malocclusion. A wide range of factors can cause malocclusions, such as genetics and early behavior. When not corrected, this can result in more dental issues.
Benefits of Having Straight Teeth
1. Improves your oral health
- Promotes good gum health. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean. Hence helping you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Crooked and twisted teeth, on the other hand, are more prone to plaque buildup. There are several areas where bacteria can grow and this can lead to infection and inflamed gums. Your gums may become tender and swollen at the early stages of gum diseases. If this worsens, bacteria can eat away at the bone that's holding your tooth in place, and cause the tooth to loosen and fall out.
- Reduces the risk of tooth decay. Tartar can develop when plaque is not removed on teeth surfaces, between teeth, and along the gum line. The bacteria in plaque also combine with debris from the food you eat and produce acids. These acids attack the enamel and lead to cavities. Having a straight smile can help you prevent this.
- Lessens teeth grinding. Fixing orthodontic issues can help reduce teeth grinding and clenching, and other jaw joint issues. Misaligned teeth can throw off your bite. Increased pressure on your mouth can cause your teeth to chip and the enamel to erode. This can also cause pain and discomfort in your jaw.
- Improves chewing abilities. When teeth are properly aligned, you're able to chew your food properly and help your body absorb as much nutrition from it. Chewing becomes more productive not only for your oral health but for your general health as well.
2. Boosts your social skills and experiences
First impressions are often influenced by physical appearance. Your smile can affect someone's snap judgments toward you. And unfortunately, people might remember you more for the least-appealing features of your face.
A great smile can help you boost confidence and attract positive assumptions. Children can avoid being teased by their peers. And adults become less conscious of their appearance and more confident to join social activities.
3. Enhances your general health
Having a healthy smile also helps your general health.
According to research, some bacteria in the mouth are tied to conditions, such as diabetes and heart diseases. These conditions can also have an impact on oral health issues, such as gum disease.
Overall, the better your oral health is, the better it is as well for your general wellness.
How Invisalign Can Help
Invisalign helps straighten your teeth without people noticing it. Unlike the traditional braces that use metal wires and brackets, it uses a series of clear plastic aligners to correct teeth alignment.
You need to wear your aligners in the right order. Every aligner builds upon what the previous one has improved so far on your smile.
You may feel a little discomfort each time you change into a new aligner. But as you get used to it, you might no longer feel you're wearing an appliance.
At the end of the treatment, your teeth become straighter. Your dentist may recommend getting retainers to keep your teeth in their final position.
Invisalign is removable. It lets you clean your teeth and eat as usual. Since it eliminates the need for bulky metal, you also keep your teeth looking attractive throughout the process.
Both teens and adults can get Invisalign. To know if it's the right solution to your orthodontic concerns, your dental team evaluates your smile, health history, and aesthetic goals. They also educate you on the limitations of the procedure.
Getting Teeth Straightening Procedure for a Healthier Smile
Straighten your teeth and make your smile healthier. Correcting teeth alignment isn't a cosmetic procedure alone as it also benefits your oral and general health. Consult with your dentist today for more information.