Most people want straighter teeth so that they will have a more attractive smile, and that is certainly a good reason to consider getting your teeth straightened. However, you may not realize that getting your teeth straightened also benefits your oral and physical health in several ways. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff are happy to give you details about how getting your teeth straightened can benefit you specifically.
In this post we discuss five of the most common health benefits people gain with straighter teeth.
One of the biggest and most tangible benefits of straighter teeth is that they are easier to clean. Brushing twice per day and flossing go a long way toward great oral health, but if your teeth are crooked, you may not be able to get to all the places where bacteria can lurk.
Visiting Dr. Hiroshige twice per year helps, but if you could do a better job daily of cleaning your teeth, the result would be a healthier mouth. When you have neatly aligned and correctly spaced teeth, better hygiene is difficult to avoid.
One thing you may not realize is that even teeth that appear straight can be misaligned, which means when you bite down, your top teeth and your bottom teeth don’t meet perfectly. A misaligned bite can cause cracks in your teeth, make it more likely for food particles to get stuck, and even interfere with your speech.
When Dr. Hiroshige determines a course for straightening your teeth, your bite is a major consideration. Having properly aligned teeth means you’re less likely to have cracked teeth, cavities, or other problems.
If your teeth have always been crooked, you may not even be aware that you have problems chewing. But, misaligned or crowded teeth offer less surface area for chewing. Your jaw may be working harder than necessary, creating pain or discomfort. The extra stress on your jaw could lead to headaches, too.
A poorly aligned bite or crooked teeth may also lead to uneven wear on your teeth. That can cause cracks or damage your enamel.
Finally, chewing your food thoroughly is the first step in healthy digestion. Better digestion means your body absorbs more of the nutrients in your food.
Thanks to the superior hygiene that results from straighter teeth, you’re more likely to have excellent gum health. Gum disease can cause bone loss in your jaw or even allow infection to spread throughout your body.
When you feel better about how you look, your self-esteem rises, and when you have better self-esteem, you’re more prone to taking care of yourself. It may seem like a stretch, but there’s reason to think that straighter teeth could inspire you to do all those health-related things you know you should be doing.
Even smiling more — something you’re sure to do when you have a beautiful, straight smile — lowers stress levels and even improves your ability to think.
If you’re ready to learn more, schedule an Invisalign® consultation with Dr. Hiroshige. You may find that it’s an easier process than you imagine. And you end up with a beautiful, health-improving smile.
