5 Health Benefits Of Having Straight Teeth

Although having straight teeth helps to boost self-esteem and confidence, having a straight smile also comes with a number of dental and overall health benefits. This increase in confidence helps with mental health and can lead to an improvement in everyday life. Let’s take a closer look at this Invisalign guide and the amazing health advantages of having straight teeth, below.

1. Healthier Gums

As you may have been told by your London dentist, it’s important to keep your gums healthy not only for your overall health, but studies have shown a correlation between periodontitis and chronic conditions, including heart disease.

If your teeth are too widely spaced then your gums can become irritated, red and inflamed, which doesn’t only look bad, but are a sign of periodontal disease. By straightening your teeth, it benefits the gums as it helps them to fit more securely around the teeth. In turn, this creates a stronger defence against periodontal problems.

2. Prevents Tooth Wear

Both crooked and crowded teeth can result in inefficient chewing and excessive wear of tooth enamel. However, when teeth have been straightened and are in the correct position, chewing becomes easier and the teeth run against each other evenly. In turn, this will help to prevent unnecessary tooth wear.

3. Reduce Jaw Problems

An overbite/underbite puts strain on more than just your teeth; it also puts stress on the joints of the jaw. When the temporomandibular joints that connect your jaw to your skull and the muscles are irritated by misaligned teeth, this can result in jaw pain, dizziness, ringing in ears and headaches. By realigning the teeth, this can help to reduce jaw problems and the related pain.

4. Decreases Headaches

Headaches can be worsened if you have crooked teeth. Tooth grinding, which is a result of crooked teeth, is one of the biggest causes of regular headaches. If you have straight teeth, you are less likely to grind your teeth and thus headaches decrease. Many people grind their teeth without realising it at night and it’s a bad habit that is difficult to stop. Teeth grinding and misaligned teeth can also result in jaw misalignment, which can progress to face or neck pain or chronic headaches.

5. Reduce The Risk Of Tooth Injury

Protruding teeth can be caused by overcrowding of the top teeth, which are at a much higher risk of being chipped or cracked than straight teeth. If teeth are visible when the lips and mouth are both relaxed then the damage is even greater, as the lips act as a shock absorber against trauma to the teeth.

As you can see, there are a number of health and oral benefits of having straight teeth. Therefore, if you have misaligned teeth, speak to your dentist, who will advise you on the best straightening treatment for you and your teeth. From traditional braces to Invisalign braces, you can now opt for invisible braces that work faster, are more comfortable and are less noticeable. Find out more from your orthodontist or dentist.