4 good reasons for teeth straightening that go beyond a beautiful smile

For some, a straight set of teeth makes for a more beautiful smile. 

One of the benefits of fixing crooked or misaligned teeth can be a boost in self-confidence. You may feel self-conscious about smiling or laughing in front of others. You may even avoid social situations because you're afraid that people will be looking at your teeth instead of listening to what you have to say. When your teeth are straighter, you’re more likely to smile and everyone will notice your boost in confidence!

There are also other significant advantages that come with having properly aligned, straighter teeth. So if you're considering straightening your teeth, or you're in the process of doing so, here are four health benefits to keep in mind.

1. Straighter teeth can help improve your overall oral hygiene

Let's start with a big one, and that's your overall oral health. The placement of your teeth plays a major role in the overall health of your mouth. When your teeth are crowded or crooked, it can be more difficult to keep them clean because toothbrush bristles (and sometimes even dental floss) can't reach all the nooks and crannies where plaque likes to hide.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and if it's not removed, it can turn into tartar (a harder substance), which can lead to gum disease.¹  

On the other hand, when your teeth are properly aligned, it's easier for you to brush and floss them effectively, which helps reduce your risk of plaque buildup² and gingivitis³ (an early stage of gum disease).

Looking at the big picture, straighter teeth means it can be easier to maintain better oral health, which could mean fewer expensive procedures at the dentist, so even your wallet will thank you for it

2. Straighter teeth can make chewing easier

You probably don't give it much thought, but the way your teeth come together when you chew plays an important role in how well you're able to eat your food. When your teeth are misaligned, you may find that certain foods are more difficult to bite, chew, and digest properly.

This can lead to chewing or digestive difficulties⁴ which is no fun for anybody. And think about it — if you’re avoiding certain foods because they hurt your teeth, you could be missing out on some of the nutrients that your body needs. On the other hand, when your teeth are straighter and have a proper bite for chewing, you can eat the foods you want efficiently and comfortably while enjoying it! 

3. Aligning your teeth can help improve your speech

You may not realise it, but the way your teeth are aligned could possibly have an impact on your speech.⁵ When your teeth are misaligned, it can cause you to produce certain sounds differently than someone with straight teeth would. For instance, if your teeth are overcrowded, you may have difficulty pronouncing words that have S's or Z's in them because your tongue can't move as freely in your mouth.

That can make communicating with people -frustrating and more difficult for others to understand. Straightening your teeth may help create a healthier bite, which is essential for clearer speech.⁶ 

4. Teeth straightening may help relieve pain in your jaw, head, and neck

Misaligned teeth may cause an improper bite and possible jaw alignment issues, which could lead to TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) pains, headaches and migraines.⁷ This can make things uncomfortable whenever you move your jaw.

There you have it — four good reasons to straighten your teeth that go beyond a beautiful smile! As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to consider teeth straightening, even if aesthetics isn't your top priority. So, if you've been thinking about getting your teeth aligned but weren't sure if it was worth it, hopefully this article has helped convince you otherwise!

If you’d like to find an Invisalign provider near you, please check out our Find a Doctor page to take your next steps towards a straighter smile, and all the benefits that could go along with it.