Did you know that having straighter teeth can do more than just give you a beautiful smile? For many, straight teeth are considered a cosmetic concern, but they can also have a significant impact on your overall health. Having properly aligned teeth can improve your oral health, preventing cavities and gum disease, whilst misaligned teeth can cause a variety of health problems. Whether you opt for traditional braces, clear aligners, or other options, straightening your teeth can be a game-changer for your overall health and well-being, so read on to explore how straighter teeth can improve overall health.
The Importance of Straighter Teeth
Having a good set of straight teeth makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene, and this in turn helps support and improve your overall health. Here is a look at how.
Improved Self-Esteem
It’s not uncommon for people to have different dental structures – yet, if your teeth are poorly aligned, it can have a negative effect on your self-esteem. Studies indicate that having straighter teeth can contribute to improved body image, wider societal acceptance, and even improve your chances of getting hired for a job, as it demonstrates that you care about how you present yourself. In addition, a straighter smile can boost your confidence and self-esteem, positively impacting your mental health and overall wellbeing.
Better Overall Health
Straighter teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Crooked or misaligned teeth can cause a range of problems, from chronic headaches to jaw pain, and issues stemming from tooth decay can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
Supports a Healthy Heart
It has been observed that crooked teeth can heighten the likelihood of gum disease, which can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. It is essential to prioritise your oral hygiene if you have prosthetic heart valves, as poor oral health can cause bacterial dissemination and release bacteria into the bloodstream.
Minimising Dental Damage
Having teeth that are out of alignment can lead to an incorrect bite, which can be painful and put too much strain on certain teeth. This can also cause a person to regularly bite their cheeks and tongue by accident, resulting in unpleasant sores. These sores, or any broken or damaged teeth, would result in considerable discomfort, as well as an expensive dental bill.
Preventing Jaw Tension
Having crooked teeth can result in recurrent headaches, ongoing facial discomfort, soreness of the jaw, earache and regular migraines. Having a straightened jaw will help in achieving straighter teeth, which will in turn reduce the risk of clenching and grinding your teeth, or stretching your jaw.
Improved Articulation
We pronounce words with our tongue, teeth, and lips, and having straight teeth facilitates proper enunciation. Having crooked teeth can cause difficulty speaking, including having a lisp, and can cause premature tooth loss which can further complicate speech.
Aids Digestion
Having straighter teeth makes biting and chewing food much easier. This makes breaking down and swallowing solid foods much easier, as the food is divided into smaller chunks, allowing for improved digestion, which in turn is beneficial for the heart and lungs.
Lasting Dental Health
When teeth are crowded, or not properly aligned, they tend to become worn down over time, leaving them weakened and resulting in them falling out. By straightening teeth, you can reduce the amount of wear and tear that your teeth experience over time, as well as reducing the strain on your teeth, gums, and underlying tissues and bone.
Causing Factors
Inherited genetics can contribute to misaligned teeth and jaws due to problems with the growth and positioning of particular teeth or jawbones, as well as the tongue, lips, cheeks, and muscle mass. This is a common occurrence in families.
Certain habits developed in childhood can also cause crooked or misaligned teeth. For instance, practices like persistent thumb or finger sucking, the use of a pacifier, or mouth breathing can have a detrimental effect on tooth alignment. If a 3-year-old is still engaged in the activity of sucking, they are more likely to develop a misaligned jawbone or have crooked teeth.
Teeth Realignment
Misaligned teeth can be straightened via a range of dental procedures. Applying a steady and constant pressure to the teeth, through the use of dental braces, dental aligners, and teeth retainers, will gradually move teeth into the desired alignment, reducing the pressure on the gums and jaw and reducing any pain or discomfort.
Invest in Your Oral Health with Straighter Teeth
If you want to invest in your health and emotional wellbeing with straighter teeth, then an orthodontist will be able to advise you on the right treatment for you.
Marsh House Orthodontics specialise in alignment treatment, including fixed braces, removable braces, and aftercare. Check out their website to view their range of alignment options, or to book an initial appointment.