Clayton Dentist: Benefits of Straight Teeth
Having straight teeth is something almost everyone wants. A smile without a single crooked tooth looks great, feels great, and can give most anyone a confidence boost. But an attractive smile isn’t the only reason to straighten your teeth. There are a number of health benefits to having straight teeth – and many reasons to get it done early in life. Check out Clayton Individualized Dentistry’s list of reasons below.
1. Easier to Clean
The easiest way to take care of teeth is by cleaning them regularly. When teeth are crooked or not lined up properly, it can be difficult to floss and brush. The ADA warns that improper cleaning can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. Starting orthodontic treatment early means you will have straight teeth for a longer time, will learn to clean teeth properly, and will lower your chances of tooth decay becoming a serious problem.
2. Easier to Chew
If your bite is uneven, this can cause issues chewing. The condition of a “bad bite” is called malocclusion. A crooked bite can also cause tooth enamel to wear down unnaturally. When the enamel is wearing down at a more rapid rate, it can be difficult to correct this wear through cleaning alone. When enamel is worn down, it can lead to sensitivity and tooth decay. Protect the tooth enamel you currently have and schedule an appointment immediately with your dentist in Clayton to address how you can prevent any further deterioration.
3. Easier to Talk
An uneven bite, severely crooked teeth – whether they are crowded or spaced out and heavily gapped teeth can cause difficulties speaking. One common result of an uneven bite is a lisp. Speech challenges can be embarrassing and may potentially affect your performance at school and in your future career. While no speech problem should stop someone from achieving their goals, correcting the problem can go a long way to boosting confidence.
4. Avoid Jaw Problems
In more severe cases, crooked teeth can lead to jaw problems and may eventually require surgery. Straightening teeth early ensures that these issues are more likely to be avoided. In the event your bite is leading to TMJ pain, our office will work with you on a treatment plan to begin alleviating pain.
5. Improve Facial Structure and Appearance
A winning smile can be a great benefit to anyone. But for some people, crooked teeth and an uneven bite affects their entire face. Correcting these issues can lead to improved physical appearance and increased self-esteem. In many cases, this kind of improvement will require surgery but not in all. Your dentist will work with you to determine if this kind of procedure is right for you (or your child). Remember that while it does have cosmetic benefits, surgery will ultimately be recommended if it improves your health.
