Benefits of straightening your teeth

Does the idea of smiling make you want to cringe because your teeth are horribly crooked and you don’t want others to see them?

Unfortunately, many people are sensitive about their teeth and may not be comfortable breaking into a wide grin. And yet, unless accompanied with a problem such as crowded teeth or an overbite, many times crooked teeth might simply be seen as a cosmetic concern and not necessarily a medical concern. 

Therefore, some children and teenagers go without braces because their parents or their dentist feel like there is nothing wrong with a few crooked teeth. 

If your crooked smile went untreated in your youth, but you’re still self-conscious about your appearance, you might want to consider getting your teeth straightened. In addition to getting a smile you’re proud to show off, having straighter teeth comes with some health benefits! 

Easier to brush and clean

When your teeth are crooked, it can be harder to get into crevices when you’re brushing and flossing. This increases your chance of cavities and can make flossing your teeth frustrating. Straight teeth, however, are easier to keep clean. Those that have their teeth straightened often note that they have an easier time flossing. There will also be fewer nooks and crevices, which helps ensure that no tooth goes untouched while brushing. 

Lower chance of gum disease

In addition to tooth decay, poor dental care caused by crooked or crowded teeth can also lead to swollen and red gums. Inflamed gums are a sign of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can cause your gums to bleed. It can also lead to the loss of teeth and bone. Not only does straightening your teeth make it easier to practice good dental hygiene, but it can also lead to your gums fitting better around your teeth. 

Keeps teeth healthier

Misaligned teeth can also cause other problems beyond cavities and gum disease. Teeth that are misaligned or crooked are more likely to stick out at odd angles, which can lead to accidental chipping or breaking. You might also accidentally bite the insides of your cheeks, which causes sores. Not to mention, misaligned teeth also experience more pressure when you’re chewing. This additional pressure can cause your teeth to wear down quickly, leading to cracked teeth. 

Lessens stress on jaw and mouth

Having misaligned teeth can also put extra pressure on your jaw and mouth. This is because crooked teeth can cause your jaw to misalign. Crooked teeth can also cause more pressure on your jaw while you’re eating. Straightened teeth do not experience this same pressure. This can lead to fewer headaches, migraines, and even shoulder pains. Straight teeth can also make chewing easier, decreasing aches and pains in your jaw due to less pressure. 

Improves your speech

Some people notice an improvement in their speech after having their teeth straightened. You might not realize it, but our teeth impact how we pronounce certain words. Those with crooked teeth may lisp when they talk or might have trouble pronouncing certain words. Fixing gapped or misaligned teeth help make the teeth align between, which can help improve certain speech patterns. However, some people may notice themselves lisping more when first using an aligner for straightening. 

Better digestion 

Sometimes, misaligned teeth can make it harder to chew food. Swallowing food that hasn’t been chewed properly can lead to stomach problems. This is because the stomach and intestines have to work harder to properly digest the food. Those who have straight, aligned teeth can better chew their food. When food is chewed more thoroughly before it is swallowed, the digestion process goes much more smoothly. 

How to get straight teeth

If you've decided that you want to go through the process of straightening your teeth, your first step is to locate an orthodontist near you. You can use a site such as https://www.1800orthodontists.com/ to start locating potential orthodontists. Always make sure to read reviews and check references before committing to an orthodontist. You can also ask your primary dentist for recommendations. The orthodontist will then determine if you should have braces, an aligner, or a retainer to help straighten your teeth. 

Final thoughts

As you can see, people get their teeth straightened for reasons that go beyond cosmetic reasons! If you or a loved one has misaligned teeth, don’t hesitate to ask a dental professional if you would benefit from having your teeth straightened. You’ll also want to see if your insurance plan will cover the procedure.