Over 4 million Americans are currently straightening their teeth with Invisalign or traditional metal braces during any given day. In fact, Canfield, OH residents are likely to spot hundreds of community members working on straightening their smiles. From ages seven to seventy and beyond, straightening your smile can have a profound effect on your appearance and health. Beyond providing you a confident smile to share with the world, getting your teeth straightened can pack in additional health benefits. Here is a glimpse of just 4 of the health benefits that straight teeth provide.
1—Bite and Chew with Ease
Daily chewing activities can damage your teeth, gums, and jaw whenever your teeth are misaligned. Crooked teeth and bite issues can lead to tooth fractures or notches in your gumline. Straightening your teeth can reduce problems related to chewing pressure, reducing everyday wear and tear. This can prolong your dental health, preventing future weakened teeth and gum disease.
2—Address Jaw-Induced Headaches
A mouth full of straight teeth is less likely to exert excessive stress that affects your face’s jawbone and joints. In this way, straightening your teeth can reduce your likelihood of developing jawbone alignment problems. You may develop chronic headaches or neck pain when your jaw is not aligned correctly due to the pressure from an incorrect bite. Straightening your teeth can reduce the stress on your temporomandibular joints and relieve these pains.
3—Speak Clearly
Sometimes it is difficult to notice, but speaking around crooked teeth can be challenging. When your teeth are crowded and crooked, you may develop a lisp or have trouble pronouncing particular words. Speech patterns are directly impacted by the size and shape of our teeth. Straightening your teeth can clarify your messages and improve your speaking ability.
4—Boost Your Digestion
The food digestion process begins with chewing. The more effectively you can chew your meal, the easier it is for your body to convert that food into energy quickly. Studies have proven that straightening your teeth can enhance your ability to chew effectively. Food that is not chewed correctly may result in stomach or intestine issues. By straightening your teeth, you can help your gut simultaneously.
If you’re on the fence about getting braces for yourself or a family member, don’t consider just the smile on the surface. When you look deeper, the many health benefits associated with straight teeth can help you make a more informed decision.
About the Author
Dr. Marissa Mikolich is a talented orthodontist with over ten years of experience under her belt. Dr. Mikolich is committed to providing her patients with the tools they need to achieve the straight and healthy smiles of their dreams. As a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, she is equipped with the skills and knowledge required to meet her patients’ orthodontic needs. If you’d like to learn more about the health benefits of straight teeth, feel free to reach out to her at (330) 967-4110 or visit her website.