Crooked or misaligned teeth are common complaints, which can affect your confidence and stop you from smiling in social situations for fear of showing off what you consider to be a wonky mouth. Having your teeth straightened can restore that confidence, boosting your self esteem and helping you to smile again, but it’s not the only advantage. Having your teeth straightened can result in many health benefits, not just for your teeth, gums and mouth but your overall health. So, if you have been considering teeth straightening, here are a few more reasons why you might like to find out more about your treatment options.
Straighter Teeth = Fewer Cavities
When your teeth are misaligned it is very difficult to clean them effectively or to get floss between your teeth and this can result in plaque build up and ultimately tooth decay. Straighter teeth are less likely to trap food debris and are easier to clean, thus helping you to keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Straight Teeth Can Improve Digestion
When your teeth don’t align properly, it can make it more difficult to chew your food effectively and mean you don’t digest it very well. Having your teeth straightened, so that they line up better, can help you to chew and digest more efficiently. This helps the bacteria in your stomach to work and prevents issues such as indigestion.
Straighter Teeth Last Longer
Because their position is not ideal, crooked teeth are susceptible to more wear and tear, which means over time they will deteriorate more quickly. Misalignment can also weaken the teeth and leave them more vulnerable to breakage.
Straight Teeth Prevent Injuries and Jaw Strain
If your teeth stick out too far or are at a strange angle it can increase the risk of injury if you have an accident that involves your face. Wonky teeth can also result in jaw misalignment, which can develop into Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This can cause pain around your jaw and ear, headaches and difficulty opening your mouth fully.
Straighter Teeth Can Improve Overall Health
By having your teeth straightened you’ll make it easier to remove bacteria from your mouth when cleaning and flossing. Stopping this bacteria in its tracks prevents infection from starting in your mouth, because sadly it doesn’t always stop there. Bacteria can also travel from the mouth into the blood vessels and blood stream where it can damage your arteries and put you at risk of heart disease or stroke. By looking after your oral health, and making it as easy as possible to keep your teeth clean, you can also look after your entire body.
If reading about these health benefits has made you want to find out more about teeth straightening, please contact us or call 0800 0154 222 to book a consultation where we can explain the treatments we offer including Invisalign or Six Month Smiles and which may be most suitable for you.