Having straight teeth gives you more benefits than just cosmetic ones. Here are 12 fabulous benefits of having straight teeth ─ and only two involve having a gorgeous smile!
Higher Self Esteem
Probably the number one benefit of straight teeth is the increased self-confidence that comes with a beautiful smile. Increased self-confidence affects every aspect of life. It allows more ease in social situations and a stronger likelihood of success in school and work.
Fewer Cavities
Crooked or overlapping teeth are hard to clean and floss. The food particles that cause plaque and cavities get caught in a lot of places in crooked teeth. When teeth are straight and properly aligned, however, food bits lose their hiding places and can be more easily brushed and flossed away.
Clear speech
Crooked teeth can cause speech impediments which can greatly impact a person’s self-confidence, school experience, or work performance.
Better Digestion
Teeth that are not aligned correctly affect chewing. Not chewing food properly causes digestive problems because more digestion has to be done in the stomach or intestines. This can lead to not getting full nutrition from your food, indigestion, and more frequent gas.
Fewer Accidents Impacting Teeth
It’s much more common for protruding teeth to get damaged or even knocked out in accidents. Even using sports-related mouthguards may not help ─ they usually won’t fit properly for protection without straight teeth.
Fewer Headaches
Crowded or crooked teeth wear unevenly. This causes jaw stress, which leads to frequent headaches.
Better gum health
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, and clean teeth keep gums healthy. On the other hand, crooked or crowded teeth are hard to clean, and the resulting tooth decay leads to gum disease. This is important because gum disease often leads to tooth loss later in life.
Saves money long-term
Straight teeth have fewer serious dental problems later in life than crooked teeth. Less dental problems down the road means less money spent on dental problems.
Less Risk of Soft-Tissue Injury
Crooked teeth can push against soft tissues in the mouth, causing cuts, sores, and infections.
Better Job Prospects
It’s no secret that appearance makes a big difference in the ability to get hired. Your smile is one of the main features that contribute to that. It’s been shown that people with a straight smile are much more likely to get hired over someone with the same qualifications, but a crooked smile.
Better overall health
It’s surprising but true. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, which means less tooth decay. Anything you can do to eliminate tooth decay is good for your health. Tooth decay leads to gum disease which is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, among other serious health problems.
More Smiling
Finally, here’s the obvious one ─ having a great smile. If you have a more attractive smile, you’re just likely to smile more. And when you smile, you stimulate nerves in your face that help you actually feel happier. Numerous studies have found that having a better-looking smile increases the amount you smile. More smiling leads to lower stress ─ that’s one awesome benefit!
If you want to get on a path toward straighter teeth, contact our office today to request a complimentary consultation. Straight teeth will benefit you in many ways for the rest of your life!
