Crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and other forms of malocclusion (the imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed) can be a source of low self-esteem and poor oral health. If you find yourself hiding your smile, being embarrassed by your teeth, or suffering from chronic oral health issues (like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath) it may be time to consider braces or clear aligners.
Are you ready to start your journey to a healthier, more beautiful smile? Whether you get there by traditional braces or clear aligners, you’ll experience these five benefits of straight teeth:
1. Healthier Teeth
Malocclusion makes it difficult to clean all of your teeth thoroughly. Overlapping, crowded teeth can harbor unwanted bacteria, causing plaque to build up and turn into tartar when it isn’t removed within a few days. This can lead to cavities, gum disease, bad breath, dental pain, discoloration, tooth loss, and many more oral health issues.
Straightening your teeth will result in a healthier smile, as long as you maintain a proper oral hygiene routine. Straight teeth are easier to clean with a toothbrush and floss because they are perfectly aligned and spread out. If you have questions about the best oral hygiene routine, ask our dentist for tips!
2. Stronger Teeth
When teeth are healthy, they’re strong. In fact, did you know that dental enamel is the hardest substance in the body? That doesn’t mean that they are impenetrable, but it does mean they can withstand a lot of wear and pressure. However, when bacteria from plaque weakens the enamel, teeth are much more susceptible to chips, cracks, and other forms of wear and tear.
Healthier teeth are stronger, so you are less likely to experience any type of wear and tear or dental injury.
3. Healthier Gums
Do your gums ever bleed when you brush your teeth? This isn’t normal. It’s called gingivitis, and it is the first stage of gum disease. When you can’t properly clean along your gum line because of crowded teeth, plaque builds up and turns into tartar. The tartar begins to accumulate and create pockets of bacteria along the gum line. This can cause pain, irritation, loose teeth, and tooth loss if not treated.
Many people with crooked or crowded teeth experience gum disease because they can’t clean their teeth thoroughly. Straight teeth make it much easier to remove plaque from the gum line while brushing and flossing.
If you are experiencing bleeding or irritated gums, contact our office today to schedule an appointment. Gingivitis is reversible with a regular or deep dental cleaning.
4. Reduced Risk of Jaw Issues
When you have malocclusion, your upper and lower teeth do not properly align when you bite down. This causes stress on the jaw and increases your risk of jaw issues like jaw pain, TMJ disorder, teeth grinding, discomfort while chewing, and more. As a result of the jaw issues, you may also experience headaches, dizziness, earaches, and difficulty sleeping.
Straightening your teeth with braces or clear aligners can reduce the stress on your jaw and, therefore, relieve your pain and discomfort.
5. Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem
We all know that our smiles and our teeth are one of the first things people notice about us because it is one of the first things we notice about other people! This can be a daunting thought for those who are insecure about their teeth.
You may find yourself smiling with your mouth closed, covering your mouth while laughing, or holding back in relationships, work, and other areas of your life because you don’t want to draw attention to your teeth. If this is true for you, having straight teeth could make a world of difference in your life!
Straight teeth can help you make a better first impression, improve your speech, and overall help you feel more confident in your own skin.
Start Your Journey to Straight Teeth Today
To begin the process of straightening your teeth, start by calling our office to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll examine your teeth to determine the best course of action, discuss your smile goals, and explain how the process works. If you currently have cavities, gum disease, or suffer from teeth grinding, we will address those issues first.
Once your mouth is healthy, we can begin orthodontic treatment. Our goal is to help you achieve your smile goals as quickly and efficiently as possible so that you can experience all the benefits of straight teeth.