The Benefits of Straight Teeth: A Detailed Guide

by Sudarsan
Straight-Teeth

Did you know that one in five people who get braces (of any type) is over the age of 18? This means that no matter what you think, you aren’t too old for this orthodontic treatment.  

While some people only get braces because they believe crooked teeth are a cosmetic problem, there are many health benefits offered by having straight teeth.

If you are considering braces or other orthodontic treatment but aren’t sure if this is right for you, keep reading. Here you can learn some of the top benefits of straight teeth.

Eliminate Bruxism

When you have straight teeth, provided by braces or invisible aligners, it means your upper and lower jaw will rest against each other perfectly. If your teeth are crooked, they won’t align properly.

Over time, this may cause uneven wear for your tooth enamel.

If you begin to grind your teeth, it can make this wear much worse. If you are dealing with this problem, you may not even realize it is going on.

If you happen to grind your teeth together while you are sleeping, you are also more likely to develop a sleeping disorder. Sometimes, this issue can lead to sleep apnea. Some of the other symptoms of bruxism include:

  • Loose, flattened, fractured, or chipped teeth
  • Tight or tired jaw muscles
  • Soreness in your face, neck, or jaw
  • Dull headaches
  • Increased tooth sensitivity or pain
  • Sleep disruption
  • Worn enamel
  • Damage from chewing your cheek

When you use braces or other dental methods to straighten your teeth, it is possible to improve your bite. Once straight, you can reduce your tendency to grind your teeth completely.

Your Teeth Will Last Longer

Chewing and biting will create a lot of pressure. When teeth are aligned properly, they can handle this without issues; however, the same is not true for teeth with a malocclusion.

Bite issues will put excessive stress on your mouth and teeth areas that aren’t designed to deal with it. This can result in premature wear.

As time passes, this may lead to fractures on the edges of your teeth, abnormal flattening of the biting surface, gum line notching, and chipping. Not only is this damage unattractive, but it can also weaken your teeth.

Even worse, this problem may result in periodontal issues and the likelihood that you will need costly and extensive dental work to repair the issues.

Once straight, you can reduce your tendency to grind your teeth completely. There is also an orthodontic retainer replacement if ever you have just removed your braces to help straighten your teeth afterwards.

Improved Digestion

Regardless of if you have naturally straight teeth or if your teeth were straightened with braces, they are better when you chew. Remember, chewing your food is the first step in digestion.

If you can chew your food better, it can speed up digestion. If food is not chewed properly, it means your stomach and intestines must work harder.

In the end, this leads to less nutrition. It can also cause stomach issues. Even people who eat a healthy diet but don’t chew it properly may suffer from an unhealthy gut.

Reduced Possibility of Decay

If your teeth are straight, it will be easier to floss and brush. These are both essential to keep food particles from hiding in between your teeth. If these particles remain, they may form into disease-causing plaque or tartar.

If your teeth are crooked, bacteria have more places to hide. You may notice food gets stuck in between your teeth more often, too.

When plaque forms, it releases acid. This is what causes cavities to develop.

After your teeth decay, you may experience tooth loss and pain. Correcting the damage requires extensive treatment and money.

It is possible to eliminate these issues by getting straight teeth now.

Reduce the Possibility of Jaw Problems

If your bite is off, which can occur because of crooked teeth, it will impact more than your teeth. It will also stress the jaw joints.

The hinged joints that connect the jaw to your skull are called the temporomandibular joints. When the joints and muscles that provide support become irritated, the strain created by misaligned or crooked teeth can cause serious problems.

Some of the problems include:

  • Ringing in the ears
  • Headaches
  • Earaches
  • Dizziness
  • Jaw pain

Sometimes, if you have frequent headaches but treat malocclusion, you may get some relief.

Clear and Improved Speech

Even though you may not realize it, your teeth play a huge role in how you talk. If your teeth protrude from your mouth, are gapped, crooked, or crowded, it can impact your speaking.

When you invest in treatment, your speech will likely improve.

Increased Confidence

Approximately one out of four adults don’t smile because they are embarrassed by their teeth. Straight teeth can improve your confidence and the impression you make on people.

Reduced Head and Neck Pain

When your teeth are perfectly straight, no additional stress will be put on your gums, jawbone, or joints. However crooked teeth can result in jaw misalignment.

This may cause chronic pain in your face or neck and headaches. When your teeth are straightened, they are properly aligned, which reduces stress on all the parts mentioned above.

Getting to Know the Benefits of Straight Teeth

As you can see, there are more than a few benefits of straight teeth. If you want to experience all these benefits, be sure to speak to your dentist or orthodontist.

If you have issues with your teeth now, it is important to note that you have options. Modern dentistry has come far in recent years.

When it comes to improving your smile, braces go a long way. To learn more about important topics like this, check out our blog.

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