Did you know there are many health benefits to having a straight smile? Straight teeth don’t just look great, they actually help keep you healthier! Let’s take a closer look!
Less Wear on Your Teeth
Teeth that don’t fit well together can wear down over time. As you chew, talk, and sleep your teeth grind against each other, looking for a better fit. As they grind, your teeth wear each other down. Additionally, high-points where teeth touch first are more likely to wear down quickly as they take the full force of your bite in that one spot. When your teeth are properly spaced and fit the way they were intended, it prolongs the life of your smile.
Fewer Headaches
Another side effect of ill-fitting teeth is chronic migraines and headaches . The strong clash of your teeth or the prolonged added jaw tension tightens the muscles in your head, causing discomfort and pain. Often, you may be grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it. Straightening your teeth can help you enjoy life without the overshadowing of chronic head pain.
Easy to Clean
Your teeth are designed to have a little bit of contact with the teeth on either side, but not too much. When your teeth are crooked you end up with gaps in some places, and wedged, too-tight teeth in other places. Food can easily linger in gaps where there is no contact to keep it out. Additionally, food chewed aggressively, especially stringy meat or vegetables, can get stuck in tight spots. This makes it difficult to clean your teeth effectively. A straight smile is easier to clean because the teeth naturally keep out food bits better. When you do get food stuck, the slight but not too tight contacts are easy to floss clean.
Healthier Gums
The natural result of teeth being difficult to clean (see previous point) is that the gums become inflamed and diseased. Bacteria from food and the air gets trapped in spots where you haven’t been able to clean well, growing and damaging the gum tissue.
Better Overall Health
Gum disease, plaque build-up, and inflammation have all been linked to many other diseases throughout the body. There is a strong correlation between gum disease and cardiovascular disease , cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity and asthma. Taking good care of your mouth helps with your overall health. Straight teeth make it easier to care for your mouth well!
At 24/7 Local Dentist, we offer excellent orthodontic care . If you’re ready to get the straight smile that will help improve your health, we’d love to discuss your treatment options!
