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Many of us have experienced the impact of crooked teeth on our daily lives when it comes to our appearance, self-confidence, and willingness to smile. A straight smile not only has a positive effect on how you feel about yourself, but it also benefits your general health in a number of ways.
Find out below how improperly aligned teeth or an incorrect bite can negatively impact on your oral health, lead to more injuries and increase the chances of developing other general health conditions.
Article Summary:
- Prevents oral health issues
- Lowers risk of disease
- Less dental injuries
- Prevent jaw issues
- Reduces teeth grinding
- Improves sleep apnoea
1. Prevents oral health issues
A good daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth and flossing is crucial for the health of your teeth and gums. If your teeth are crooked or have gaps between them, they can be more difficult to clean and have a greater chance of getting food stuck in them, where bacteria can grow rapidly and cause oral health issues such as tooth decay, gum disease or mouth infections.
In contrast, straight teeth are much easier to clean. The gums can also benefit from orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign, as it can assist with improving blood flow to the gums.
2. Lowers risk of disease
Outside of the mouth, surprisingly by straightening your teeth, you can also reduce the risk of developing other health issues within the body. Gum disease and mouth infections can actually increase the chances of developing illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, so by being able to clean your teeth better you can cut down your risk for all of these issues.
Crooked teeth can also make it difficult for some people to chew, which can impact on their diet as they tend to avoid certain foods. Aligning your teeth will allow you to eat more foods comfortably and ensure you’re following a balanced diet that doesn’t stop you from acquiring important nutrients. There are a number of foods known for keeping your teeth healthy.
3. Less dental injuries
Inadequate dental hygiene can cause teeth to become weaker and therefore more likely to become damaged from an injury, such as those from contact sports, tripping over or biting into solid food.
Uneven pressure on the teeth due to them not being correctly aligned can lead to cracks or chips in the teeth. Teeth that protrude from the mouth, especially those in the top, also stand a higher chance of being injured.
Risks of dental injuries can be reduced by wearing a custom mouthguard when playing sports, which will be more comfortable and effective if your teeth are straight, and will help avoid needing to visit the dentist for a dental emergency.
4. Prevent jaw issues
Pressure on the teeth from misalignment can also extend to the joints which attach the jaw to the skull (temporomandibular joints, or TMJ), leading to TMJ disorder or “TMD”. Symptoms include pain, difficulty or clicking sounds when moving the jaw, or even severe headaches. This can be treated with orthodontics or at least temporary relief with muscle relaxant injections and other TMJ treatments.
5. Reduces teeth grinding
Teeth grinding or clenching, which is known as bruxism when severe, can be caused when the teeth don’t align correctly. They’ll then be more likely to wear down and suffer from damage, as well as lead to TMD. In addition to aligning the smile with orthodontics such as braces or Invisalign, your dentist may recommend wearing a night guard while sleeping.
6. Improves sleep apnoea
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing difficulties cause disruption to your sleep, often where snoring wakes the person up. This can cause considerable tiredness and other health issues. These breathing difficulties can occur as a result of a misaligned jaw, which can sometimes be treated with orthodontics in addition to other sleep apnoea treatments to significantly improve the quality of sleep.
As you can see, a straighter smile not only helps you feel and look your best, but can also play a holistic role in your overall health and quality of life.
Gold Coast Invisalign Dentist
Orthodontic treatment can help you achieve a straighter smile that you’ll be excited to share! Oasis Dental Studio offers free Invisalign consultations at our Gold Coast dental practices, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our amazing team to find out more!
In the meantime, to see in 60 seconds what Invisalign can do for your smile, try our Invisalign SmileView simulator.
Please feel free to schedule an appointment online or give us a call:
- Broadbeach Dental Practice: 07 5526 8722
- Palm Beach Dental Practice: 07 5525 6610
- Chirn Park Dental Practice: 07 5627 1127
Invisalign and the Invisalign logo, among others, are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc., and are registered in the U.S. and other countries.
