When you think of the benefits of having straight teeth, the obvious one is that they look better. That is undoubtedly true. However, we are also going to look at some of the other benefits that might not immediately come to mind when you think about having straight teeth.
Straight Teeth are Easier to Keep Clean
Crooked or overcrowded teeth can be difficult for you to get between with your toothbrush and floss. When food gets trapped between your teeth, it causes more plaque build-up and can make your teeth start to decay.
Having straight teeth makes it much easier for you to brush and floss all the different areas effectively. Thorough brushing and flossing lead to much healthier teeth and gums.
Less Chance of Headaches or Neck Pain
When you have straight teeth there is even pressure on your jawbone structure when you bite down. When you have uneven or overcrowded teeth, it creates points where there is a lot more pressure on your jaw than there should be.
The uneven pressure can cause your jaw to become misaligned and create many problems, such as headaches and neck pain.
Here at McDonough Orthodontics we specialize in dentofacial orthopedics, which means we can diagnose and treat any misalignment in the teeth and jaw, as well as facial structure.
Straight Teeth Help with Digestion
Good chewing is a crucial factor in having good digestion. Straight teeth are ideal for chewing
because you don’t have little (or big) areas with insufficient contact. When you chew your food more thoroughly, it helps speed up the digestion process. Otherwise, your stomach and intestines must work overtime to make up for it.
You end up getting less nutrition and may experience stomach issues. Even if you are a healthy eater but do not chew your food correctly, you could suffer from an unhealthy gut. Straight Teeth Offer Better Life Opportunities
According to a study conducted for Invisalign, people perceive those with straight teeth as having more desirable qualities than crooked teeth.
Rightly or wrongly, 73% of Americans would be more likely to trust someone with a nice smile than someone with a nice outfit or a nice car.
“Many people tend to focus on fixing the things about themselves they think will have the biggest impact, often overlooking one of the most impressionable physical attributes like their teeth.
“We live in a society where looking good heavily impacts how we are perceived. You can say you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but people do it every day.”
– Timothy A. Mack, senior vice president of business development for Align Technology, maker of Invisalign.
If you are unhappy with how your teeth look, you will feel anxiety or stress about them. You might criticize yourself or think that they make you look ugly.
On the other hand, when you are happy with your teeth, you feel confident and not worried about them. Others will notice your confidence because they will see that you have your attention on them and not on yourself.
Having an attractive, healthy smile is essential for both your health and your happiness. Contact us today so that we can work towards achieving that goal together.
Dr. David McDonough