Up to 75% of people could benefit from braces. Even if you don’t think you have visibly crooked teeth, you may need a few small adjustments for a truly straight and healthy smile. Are you ready to see an orthodontist to get the smile you deserve?
Many people are on the fence because they think the only reasons to get braces are about aesthetics. This isn’t the case. Sure, aesthetics matter, but orthodontic work can also get you a healthy smile and better health overall.
Read on to learn all about the many benefits of straight teeth from your local San Jose Invisalign expert.
Improved Oral Health
Straight teeth, in most cases, are easier to clean than misaligned teeth. This reduces the likelihood of plaque and tartar buildup. Proper oral hygiene becomes more effective, leading to healthier gums and teeth.
As a result, this leads to a lower chance of serious dental health issues.
Straight teeth are less likely to trap food particles in hard-to-reach places, reducing the risk of cavities. Misaligned teeth can create crevices that are challenging to clean thoroughly even with floss.
Properly aligned teeth make brushing and flossing more effective, decreasing the risk of tooth decay and related issues.
Properly aligned teeth contribute to healthier gums, decreasing the risk of periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease is linked to various systemic health issues that go far beyond the mouth, so straight and healthy teeth can benefit more than just your oral health. They can benefit your overall health as well.
Better Chewing and Digestion
Speaking of your overall health, having a straight smile can help you digest your food better! This can lead to better overall nutrition and a healthier body as a whole.
Straight teeth provide an even biting surface. This can improve the efficiency of how you chew! Proper chewing aids in better digestion by breaking down food into smaller and more digestible pieces.
Reduced Tooth Wear
Another thing to worry about when it comes to chewing and biting down is how it wears down your teeth. Over time, your teeth start to grind down from the pressure of chewing and grinding. This isn’t a huge problem if you have relatively straight teeth, but if you have misaligned teeth, it could be problematic.
Straight teeth distribute biting forces evenly, reducing the risk of uneven wear and tear on teeth. When the wear is even, it is less likely to lead to future damage or other problems and it won’t be as noticeable.
Misaligned teeth, however, can lead to excessive wear, chips, or fractures over time. As a matter of fact, they can lead to chips even early on if you bite down too hard in the wrong spot.
Improved Speech
Do you have speech irregularities? There are many potential causes of speech issues, but one of them is misaligned teeth.
Straight teeth can positively impact speech, making it easier to articulate words and sounds. You may find that you have less of a lisp when you straighten your teeth, or that you’re able to enunciate better.
Certain misalignments may contribute to speech impediments or difficulties. You may not need speech therapy. You may actually need orthodontic work!
Prevention of Jaw Problems
Misaligned teeth and bite issues can place unnecessary stress on the jaw joints and muscles. This can lead to discomfort, pain, and even temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) or other similar conditions.
Straightening the teeth can help alleviate these issues and prevent future jaw problems. Many people even notice aesthetic changes in their jaw after receiving orthodontic treatment.
Aesthetic Appeal
One of the primary reasons that many people choose to pursue orthodontic treatment is for its aesthetic appeal. There’s nothing wrong with that. While there are many deeper reasons to seek out orthodontic treatment, it’s also more than okay to simply want a straight smile because you like the way it looks.
Many people with otherwise healthy teeth that are mostly straight still get orthodontic treatment to fix minor imperfections. If those “imperfections” bother you and it’s within an orthodontist’s ability to fix them, why wouldn’t you? The other benefits come right alongside the aesthetic improvement.
Straight teeth contribute to an aesthetically pleasing smile for many people. A beautiful smile can enhance your self-confidence and positively influence personal and professional interactions. If you feel better about flashing your pearly whites when you have a straight smile, you’ll even make better first impressions.
Better Overall Well-Being
A confident and attractive smile can positively impact your mental and emotional well-being long-term. Improved self-esteem and confidence are often associated with a straight and beautiful smile.
No, you don’t need a straight smile to have confidence and self-esteem, but if that’s something that’s making you feel self-conscious, you deserve to change it.
Confidence goes a long way when it comes to your overall well-being and sense of self.
Long-Term Stability
Straightened teeth after orthodontic treatment are more likely to maintain their alignment over time, providing long-term stability and oral health benefits.
In other words, as long as you continue taking care of your teeth, you can have healthy teeth for a long time to come. Because your teeth are in proper alignment, you’re less likely to experience many common oral health issues.
This isn’t to say that you can’t experience cavities or jaw problems or that you’ll never experience tooth loss as you age, but that you’re decreasing your chances of these things happening.
Note that for this to be the case, you should wear your retainer after treatment.
You Deserve a Healthy Smile
Everyone deserves to have a healthy smile. Orthodontic treatment can help you get one. You’ll reduce oral health issues, improve your digestion, improve your speech, and so much more. You owe it to yourself to straighten your beautiful smile.
At Boschken Orthodontics, we use the most advanced in orthodontic techniques and technology to make sure that all of our patients get the smiles they deserve. We can’t wait to help you get the smile of your dreams.
If you’re ready to start Invisalign in San Jose, schedule a consultation with us today.
