Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth: Why Alignment Matters

The No. 1 reason people get their teeth straightened is to improve their appearance, but the No. 1 reason dentists recommend it to their patients is to protect and improve their health. 

The aesthetic benefits are obvious — straighter teeth give you a radiant smile that looks better in photos, gives you an advantage in job interviews, and makes you exude confidence in social settings. 

But straight teeth don’t just look healthier; they are healthier. At Arya Dental, we offer Invisalign® clear braces knowing that they move your teeth into proper alignment quickly and safely so you can reap the health benefits of straight teeth. They also cater to that part in all of us that wants to look as good as possible at all times. Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, so almost no one will ever know you’re wearing them.

Here are five reasons Invisalign can protect and improve your health.

1. Keeps depression at bay

In today’s hyper-connected world, social media is a must. Children, teens, and adults all feel the pressure of keeping up appearances on various platforms and competing for attention. Crooked teeth and old-fashioned metal braces can be the cause of mean-spirited cyber comments and lead to low self-esteem and even depression if you’re on the receiving end.

Invisalign clear aligner trays can help you or your child avoid the potential negativity online and the subsequent bouts with depression that could follow.

2. Saves wear-and-tear on your teeth

Crooked teeth meet each other differently than straight teeth. They grind in different places and cause too much pressure in others. 

Over time, your misaligned teeth start to wear down, which can lead to:

• Cracks
• Broken teeth
• Shortened facial appearance
• Jaw pain

3. Preserves your jaw

In an ideal, well-aligned mouth, everything works in unison — teeth, tongue, gums, and jaw. When any one of those is compromised, it affects the others. So when your teeth are crooked, your jaw has to move in ways it wasn’t designed to. 

Your jaw joint, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ), begins to ache, letting you know that your teeth may be exerting too much or incorrect pressure when you chew. Straighten your teeth and this problem can go away.

4. Makes brushing and flossing easier

If you’re like most people, brushing and flossing your teeth doesn’t rank high on your list of favorite things to do. That’s why so many people neglect proper oral hygiene. 

If you add crooked teeth to the equation, the task becomes more difficult and less frequent. Tight spaces are hard to clean, so that’s where the bacteria and plaque-like to hide. Wait too long to take care of it and you end up with gum disease, cavities, or infection. The straighter your teeth, the less you have to worry about oral problems.

5. Affects your overall health

Everyone has a dirty mouth. It’s filled with bacteria — usually the harmless variety — but if you have excess plaque buildup, gingivitis, periodontitis, or infected teeth, the bacteria can cause some real problems throughout your body. 

What starts in your mouth doesn’t stay in your mouth. Your mouth is the gateway to your digestive and respiratory systems. So if crooked teeth have caused gum disease or infections in your mouth, you may be at a higher risk for other issues, such as:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Pneumonia
• Premature delivery

If you have crooked teeth and would like to straighten them for cosmetic and general health reasons, call us today to see if Invisalign clear aligners are a good fit for you.