There are many reasons you may want straighter teeth: to improve your appearance, feel more confident, or to have the smile of your dreams. But did you also know that having straighter teeth can actually improve your oral health and your overall health, too? In addition to protecting your teeth and gums, having straight teeth can also decrease your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. To learn more about the many health benefits that come with having straight teeth, keep reading!
Better Ability to Clean
Having straight teeth actually makes it easier for you to clean them properly. When your teeth are askew, and your jaw is not properly aligned, some teeth may be too close together. This makes it harder for you to clean them correctly. Over time, plaque will build on these teeth and bacteria will flourish, which will eventually cause tooth decay.
Decrease Risk of Gum Disease
Bacteria in your mouth doesn’t just cause tooth decay. The bacteria move from the teeth to the gums and puts you at risk of developing gum disease. When you straighten your teeth, however, you are helping the gums to fit more securely around your teeth. This, in turn, strengthens your defenses against gum disease. Talk to the dentist at your office for dental care in Aliso Viejo, CA, to learn more about what you can do to prevent gum disease.
Avoid Unnecessary Damage
Ideally, your teeth should fit together comfortably when you close your jaw. When your teeth are misaligned, they won’t be able to fit neatly. Your upper and lower teeth will constantly be knocking into each other, which will cause the tooth enamel to wear down. After enough damage has occurred, the inner pulp of the teeth will become more vulnerable to plaque and tooth decay. Having straight teeth can also decrease your risk of sustaining a tooth injury. Protruding upper teeth are much more likely to be broken during an accident than straightened ones are.
Curb Mouth Breathing
Not everyone with unaligned teeth will be a mouth breather, but some of them will. When you breathe through your mouth, the saliva that is supposed to coat and protect your teeth will dry up. This means your teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay. Additionally, breathing through your mouth makes you more likely to be a heavy snorer and can negatively impact your sleep, too.
Prevent TMJ Disorder
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint where the lower jaw connects to the upper one. When your teeth are improperly aligned, you are more vulnerable to damage to this joint in the form of TMJ disorder. This disorder can also lead to migraines. By straightening your teeth, you can decrease your chances of getting TMJ disorder and the accompanying headaches.
Improves Your Overall Health
In addition to improving your oral health, straight teeth can also help to prevent other types of health conditions. The bacteria that cause decay and gum disease can also lead to mouth sores, bleeding gums, and potential tooth loss. It can also cause oral infections, which often lead to more serious problems like pneumonia, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Avoid these problems by exploring your options for teeth straightening with your dentist.
To schedule an appointment to discuss all of your options for teeth straightening, including Invisalign, contact us at Turner Dental Care today!
Dr. Turner has helped countless patients get the healthy, beautiful smile they desired. Excellent clinical work and unrivaled personal attention make Turner Dental Care the premier Cosmetic Dental Office in Aliso Viejo. Call Jenny now for a complimentary consultation at (949) 770-3294 or contact us online.
