If you have misaligned teeth, one of the many ways you can bolster your general health is by straightening them. RiverView Orthodontics is passionate about helping patients work toward positive dental changes and enhanced overall well-being. In addition to aesthetics, aligned teeth have the power to prevent gum disease and lower your chance of injuries and everyday wear and tear. Read on to learn the five health benefits of straight teeth!
1) Improved Speech Patterns
Those with crooked teeth may pronounce certain words differently than friends and family. Bite issues and how your teeth and tongue interact with each other tend to be the cause of a lisp or even poor articulation. Orthodontic treatment works to align your teeth and jaw, correctly positioning your tongue to move and rest as needed.
This includes working on your airflow. Aligning your row of teeth, sometimes called dental arches, allows for air to move through your mouth without obstruction. This direct path allows for volume, pronunciation, and projection.
2) Prevent Excessive Wear and Tear
When your teeth cannot distribute pressure across your teeth and instead place additional force in specific areas, your teeth are more likely to suffer from complications over a long period, such as loss of enamel, chips, cracks, and erosion. Biting down with crooked teeth can also cause discomfort while chewing if done so too hard or in the wrong direction.
Straightening your teeth, especially for patients with bite issues, protects against these complications. They are better equipped to handle wear and tear as pressure is more evenly distributed throughout your mouth. It can even help reduce chronic headaches related to dental issues.
3) Boosted Self-Confidence
With a brand-new smile comes a fantastic boost in confidence! Our team at RiverView Orthodontics sees firsthand the incredible impact of straightening teeth when we remove each patient’s appliance, and you get to see the results of your hard work and effort. A grin is your greatest asset and can be used to positively impact both your professional and personal relationships.
4) Reduced Risk of Gum Disease
Maintaining everyday oral hygiene becomes challenging when there are hard-to-reach areas of your teeth and gums to clean, which can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease. Getting treatment to straighten your teeth and allow your gums to fit around them better protects you from bone loss and further bite issues affecting other areas of your health. Dr. Upton recommends staying on top of your daily brushing and flossing routine to promote oral and general health!
5) Lower Chance of Dental Injuries
When your teeth protrude outward or tend to crowd, you may be more susceptible to a dental injury. This is because when a tooth is out of place, it is not protected or covered by your gums, lips, and jawbone.
That being said, you could experience a chipped or broken tooth from activities such as sports, taking a fall to the ground, or directly bumping into a wall. Instead, with straightened teeth, your teeth stay safe in their place, and you won’t have to worry about potentially complex procedures in case of an emergency.
How to Achieve Straightened Teeth
Dr. Upton and RiverView Orthodontics provide many treatments to pursue when patients are looking to promote their health through aligned teeth.
Metal Braces
Modern metal braces advanced each year and continue to be a popular option among patients. They can reliably fix the most complicated orthodontic issues and help you reach your smile goals promptly and effectively. They are comprised of brackets, wires, and elastics, which work together to place constant pressure on your teeth, shifting them in the right direction until they reach ideal alignment.
Invisalign
This removable appliance provides treatment without any interruption to your daily routine. Invisalign clear aligners are a series of clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth and slowly guide your teeth into perfect alignment. They are a popular choice among our patients! Professionals and older teens looking for a discreet treatment option can reliably achieve the results they are after with this appliance.
Clear Braces
A great aesthetic option for those looking to work on their smile without a flashy appearance, clear braces are made of tooth-colored ceramic and are nearly invisible. They shift teeth and appear similarly to metal braces, providing stunning results in potentially less time than other options.
Can You Have Naturally Straight Teeth?
While having straight teeth without getting dental work done is certainly possible, it is very rare. The alignment of your teeth is impacted by genetics influencing the original positioning, environmental interactions affecting their overall health and nutrition, and early childhood habits changing their growth habits and general development.
Some may not need orthodontic intervention, but it is common for many people to experience varying degrees of crowding, misalignment, spacing issues, and other common complications. The sooner you address these issues, the easier they will be to fix so you can enjoy a healthier life!
Enjoy a Straight and Healthy Smile!
Thanks to the power of orthodontics, RiverView Orthodontics is where you can start your journey to a beautiful smile as well as better dental and overall health. We are proud to be your resource and take you through the process. Our practices are located in Tuscaloosa and Demopolis, Alabama and serve the surrounding communities. Schedule your free consultation with Dr. Upton today!