10 Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

October 3, 2019

The importance of proper oral hygiene is no secret. Dentists all over the world will recommend that their patients brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, and visit the dentist at least on an annual basis. The passionate and professional staff at Ocean Front Dental agrees.

Clean teeth translate to a brighter smile, a lessened risk of gum disease, fewer cavities, and a myriad of other health benefits. While this may all be common knowledge to most, the benefits of different aspects of oral hygiene often go unsung.

At Ocean Front Dental, we take every part of dental health seriously and are here to promote that. While straight teeth are visually pleasing, they also provide many benefits to your personal health. What follows are just ten of the health benefits of straight teeth, which you can achieve rather quickly with Invisalign.

Healthier Teeth

Simply put, straight teeth are healthier teeth. Straighter teeth mean less food trapped between them, which, in turn, means fewer cavities and tooth decay.

Healthier Gums

The health of your teeth is directly tied to the health of your gums, so it should come as no surprise that straighter teeth will also lead to healthier gums. Frequently, teeth that are too widely spaced or too crowded will cause red and swollen gums.

Unhealthy gums can eventually develop into gum disease and eventual loss of bone and teeth. Straightening your teeth with Invisalign will help your gums fit more securely around your teeth – which will help fight any further periodontal problems.

Easier Cleaning

Perhaps one of the most rewarding benefits to straight teeth is that they are easier to clean. Crowded teeth can be hard to floss, which could result in excessive plaque buildup and eventual tooth decay. Having your teeth straightened, even just a little bit, can make your teeth cleaning markedly easier.

Improved Tooth Longevity

Your teeth take on a lot of wear and tear as they breakdown food to fuel your body so it can function. Teeth that are not straight are prone to more uneven wear and tear, whereas straight teeth work more as they should – relieving pressure on your gums, roots, and mouth and helping your teeth stay healthy for longer.

Less Abnormal Tooth Wear

When teeth are too crowded, they can cause friction with each other and cause inefficient chewing. As teeth rub up against each other in unnatural ways, the enamel can wear down in unnecessary ways – causing wear and tear that could otherwise be avoided with straight teeth.

Decrease Risk of Tooth Injury

Again, when teeth are crowded, they are more at risk than straight teeth for a variety of health concerns. Tooth injury is one of them. Crowded or protruding teeth will be broken more often than straight teeth if impacted in a traumatic accident. While these don’t happen often, it is just another reason why pursuing teeth straightening with Invisalign could be right for you.

Improved Speech

Uneven, crooked, or protruding teeth will have a significant impact on your speech, but something as simple as straightening your smile with Invisalign can work wonders. Those new to Invisalign may experience a bit of a lisp at first but, soon, you will be speaking more clearly than you ever have before.

Improved Overall Health

Bad oral hygiene has been linked to all types of other health problems, including kidney and heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. Much of this stems from tooth decay and gum disease which, you guessed it, are only further perpetuated by crooked and crowded teeth.

Decreased Headaches or Neck Pain

If it’s not clear by now, crowded and crooked teeth impact far more than just the mouth around them. Teeth that are not straight place unnecessary stress on the gums and bones that support them, which, in turn, often translates to headaches and neck pain. Straightening your teeth with Invisalign may help with this as well!

Improves Self-Esteem and Happiness

Achieving or maintaining positive mental health is a crucial part of your overall well-being and a straight smile, to some, maybe the key to that.

Conclusion

It should be clear by now that striving for straight teeth is a critical component of dental health. Thankfully, technology has come a long way and straightening your teeth has never been easier. Clear Invisalign retainers are worn for most of the day, only removed when you eat or drink.

Every couple of weeks, our professionals at Ocean Front Dental will give you a new set of aligners that, over time, work to straighten your teeth in small increments slowly. Typically, patients with Invisalign will have them for up to a year though everybody is a little different. If Invisalign seems like the right solution for you, visit us today. Our passionate and experienced staff at Ocean Front Dental are always eager to help!

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