Do you have crooked teeth that you wish were straighter? Maybe you want them to be more aligned for aesthetic purposes. But did you know that there are plenty of other benefits of having straight teeth? That’s right, aligning your pearly whites can even improve your oral health. Keep reading to learn about several of the benefits of straight teeth, as well as some of your options for achieving a perfectly even smile.
Benefits of Straight Teeth
Some of the advantages of having a straight smile include:
- Easier to clean. When your teeth are crooked, crowded, or gapped, it’s harder to brush and floss efficiently, increasing the likelihood that food particles will stick around and attract harmful bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.
- Lower risk of infection. Because straight teeth are easier to clean, your risk of oral infections decreases significantly. Since infections in the mouth can quickly spread to the rest of the body, you’re much less likely to get sick.
- Fewer headaches and TMJ problems. If you have an uneven bite (like an overbite, underbite, or crossbite), you’re more likely to grind your teeth, resulting in accelerated wear and tear on your tooth enamel, problems with your jaw joint (TMJ), and headaches from teeth grinding.
- Saves money in the long run. Since you’re less likely to have oral infections with straight teeth, you shouldn’t have to spend nearly as much money on dental treatments in the future.
- Decrease your risk of injury. Teeth that protrude or are crowded are much more likely to be damaged in the event of an accident.
- Better nutrition. With straight teeth, you can chew your food more efficiently, allowing you to absorb more nutrients from the food you eat.
- Extra confidence. Last but not least, having straight teeth can boost your self-esteem.
Your Options for Achieving a Straighter Smile
You could always straighten your grin with traditional braces, but luckily, your dentist offers a couple of much better alternatives:
Six Month Smiles
Instead of wearing clunky metal braces in your entire mouth, Six Month Smiles only straightens the teeth that show when you smile, also known as the “social six.” Furthermore, this system uses tooth-colored or clear brackets and wires. Unless someone stares particularly hard at your teeth, no one should notice your braces. Since the focus is on straightening only your front teeth, treatment can be completed in as little as half a year.
Invisalign
Maybe you don’t want any metal in your mouth at all. That’s where Invisalign comes in. These sets of clear aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable plastic. Simply wear the trays for about 22 hours a day, only taking them out to eat, drink, and clean your teeth. Onlookers shouldn’t even be able to tell you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. To top it all off, Invisalign can shift your teeth in a fraction of the time of traditional braces.
As you can see, there is no shortage of benefits to having straight teeth. If you’re looking to improve the appearance and health of your smile, ask your dentist today about which orthodontic option would be right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Jenna Bagley has been working in the dental field for more than 20 years now, ever since she earned her doctorate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She is a certified provider of both Invisalign and Six Month Smiles, so she can help you achieve straight teeth in whichever way you prefer. To learn more, visit her website or call her Greenfield, MA office at (413) 772-0842.