Importance Of Properly Aligned/Straight Teeth

A great smile is a vital part of a person's appearance, his or her self-confidence, and one of the pillars of human interaction, personal, social, and professional. One of the main reasons people have their crooked teeth straighten and aligned is to improve their appearance. However, having straight teeth is also incredibly beneficial for both dental as well as overall health.

Fights Tooth Decay

When your teeth are straight and evenly spaced, with no gaps between them, they become a barrier against the germs that cause decay and cavities. If there are no gaps, it becomes hard for food particles, and the germs they carry, to find a place to adhere to and grow. The few germs that may be able to enter will find it challenging to multiply to the extent that cavities develop. Additionally, when teeth are straight and aligned, cleaning them with brushing and flossing is much more effective, which reduces the possibility of food particles remaining in the mouth. It is this debris that provides the sugars germs need to multiply. Straight teeth also enable acids in the foods to be washed out of the mouth more quickly, reducing the risk of erosion of the tooth enamel.

Keep Gum Disease And Tooth Loss Away

Gaps between the teeth increase the risk of periodontal or gum disease. When bacteria collect in the gaps near the gum line, a toxic substance is released, which causes gum irritation. This irritation results in the gums receding. When this happens, more of the tooth surface is exposed, which increases the risk of decay and tooth damage. The receding gums also become channels via which the bacteria reach deep into the gum tissue, causing even more damage. If the bacteria gets to the root of a tooth, it may become infected, which could cause it to fall out. Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss among adults.

Avoid Jaw Pain, TMJ, And Headaches

When your teeth are not straight and aligned, your bite is not correctly balanced because the teeth do not line up correctly. This causes increased stress and strain on the jaws when biting or chewing. This, in turn, results in the muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints becoming infected and inflamed. This leads to pain in the jaw, face, and headaches, which could be so bad that everyday life is affected.

Improve Overall Health

Research shows that the bacteria that cause gum disease are linked to other medical conditions, many of them very serious like strokes, cardiac conditions, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, respiratory infections, and cancer. Straight and aligned teeth are essential to oral health, and this, in turn, is a component of overall good health and reduces the risk of other diseases and medical conditions.

Teeth straightening is one of the most common dental procedures because of the many benefits it offers. Straight and even teeth do not just make you look and feel good; they are essential to your overall health and wellbeing. Call us at 408-725-1536 to schedule your orthodontic exam and consultion.