Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

The benefits of having straight teeth are not all about having a great and beautiful smile. Dental research has shown that having straight teeth actually means that you have a healthy mouth.

If you have been thinking of straightening your teeth, this article will give you information on the benefits of having straight teeth, which go far beyond aesthetic appeal. 

Vancouver orthodontist Dr. Loo offers these treatments to both children and adults. However, if you are not from this region, visit your nearest dentist to know how you can straighten your teeth.

The Benefits of Having Straight Teeth

The following are some of the benefits of having straight teeth:

Improved overall health

Research has shown that poor dental health has been linked to stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and many more. Flossing, brushing and regular visits to your dentist can help with keeping your overall health in check. 

To prevent bad oral bacteria and protect your smile, ensure that you order a new set of clean retainers every six months. 

Healthier teeth

Having clean teeth means that you have healthier teeth. 

If you have trapped food in your teeth, plaque can easily form, which increases the risk of tooth decay and dental cavities, leading to expensive dental work.

Flossing and brushing after every meal will make your teeth cleaner and healthier. Wearing invisible aligners will not only straighten your smile but can also keep your teeth clean.

Easy cleaning

Flossing can be frustrating when you have crowded teeth because there is minimum or no space between your teeth. This makes it hard to get the floss into all the crannies and nooks. 

Most people that use invisible aligners to straighten their teeth find it easier to floss their teeth after only a few weeks of wearing them. When flossing your teeth is made easier, they become cleaner easily and you can keep up with the process without the frustration.

Less wear and tear

Whenever your teeth bite down, they sustain some pressure. The extra pressure sustained by your teeth makes them wear down and can lead to poor support at the root, possible gum recession and loose teeth.

It can also lead to headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain or muscle pain in the temples where the jaws and the ears meet. Having straight teeth can help prevent upcoming headaches in the future.

Healthier gums

Mostly, swollen and red gums are as a result of having too crowded or too widely spaced teeth which can be reduced by straightening them. According to research done by the NIH, periodontal disease has been linked to the loss of teeth and bone-and a lot of other medical illnesses. 

Therefore, having straight teeth helps your teeth to fit into the gums better, reducing the risk of developing gum disease.

Improved speech 

As an important part of your mouth, your teeth play a major role in your speech. Protruding, gapped, and crowded teeth can greatly affect your speaking patterns. Straightening your teeth can really help in improving your speech. So you should consider looking into teeth straightening, especially if it's affecting your speech. 

When you start wearing your invisible aligners, you will first notice that there is a bit of a lisp but in about six months you could have improved speech and the smile you've always wanted.

Improved happiness and self-esteem

Mental health plays a huge part of overall health, which is very important. Various studies have shown that having straight teeth increases the number of times that you smile, which, in turn, lead to other health benefits such as low levels of stress and improved cognition.

If you have crooked or crowded teeth, you often end up smiling less because you feel embarrassed by how your teeth look. But if you have straight teeth, you smile more often and this shows a higher level of confidence and self-esteem.

Straighten Your Teeth for Your Health 

Having straight teeth is very important for your overall health. The benefits range from improved happiness and confidence to prevention of gum disease and other health problem that may occur in the future due to crooked teeth. 

There are several ways of straightening your teeth, including the use of a retainer, porcelain veneers, ceramic braces, Invisalign, braces, metal braces, and lingual braces.