Why Straight Teeth Matter

You probably consider straight teeth as an aesthetic benefit towards your smile appearance. While this is certainly true, proper teeth alignment offer more than just cosmetic improvement. In fact, there are many ways in which a straight smile can foster a healthier smile. Countless studies have proven that a healthy mouth can also mean a healthy body. So if you’ve been putting off orthodontic treatment because you feel guilty about the cosmetic investment, we invite you to consider the ways in which you will also enhance your smile health.

Benefits of Well-Aligned Teeth

While every smile is unique, we were all born with a certain number of teeth that should ideally be in a certain place in your mouth. Unfortunately, few of us are lucky enough to have perfectly aligned teeth. Patients of all ages suffer from gaps and crowding as well as crooked teeth and bad bites (malocclusion). Regardless of the severity of your alignment issues, there’s more to be concerned with than the way they make your smile look.

The following are some of the less obvious (but no less serious) setbacks from misaligned teeth:

Cleaning Challenges: When the teeth are overlapping or crooked, it can be difficult to reach all of your tooth surfaces with a toothbrush or floss. In result, you become more prone to tooth decay, gum disease and other dental health issues.

Speaking or Chewing Limitations: When our teeth are not aligned, they often don’t come together properly when we bite down. This can make you chew on one side of your mouth or even avoid certain foods. When it comes to speaking, patients with severe gaps or misalignment can struggle to pronounce certain syllables and words.

Jaw Problems: Misalignment and malocclusion often go hand in hand. Unfortunately, if you don’t address a bad bite, you can end up placing too much strain on your TMJ (jaw joint). You may eventually experience disruptive symptoms such as headaches, jaw pain, jaw clicking and neck pain.

A Preferred Way to Straighten Your Smile

At Montevallo Family Dentistry, we are proud to offer one of the most convenient treatment options in orthodontics. Our eCligner system uses a series of clear, removable aligners to move your teeth into ideal position. Gone are the days when you have to endure the embarrassment or discomfort of flashy metal braces. Call today to learn more about our clear orthodontics for adults in Montevallo.

Posted on behalf of Montevallo Family Dentistry