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We all know the drill: If your teeth are crooked, you have to get them straightened with braces or Invisalign®. This isn’t cheap, and it isn’t quick, so you may wonder if it’s really necessary to have straight teeth? Sure, you have a better smile if your teeth line up perfectly, but are there any reasons other than purely cosmetic ones to make sure your teeth are aligned?
As it happens, the answer is a resounding yes! Straight teeth don’t just look great — they keep you in good health and even protect you from some pretty bad consequences.
At the office of Nataly Vilderman, DDS, in San Francisco, we’re experts at aligning your teeth and keeping them aligned. Here are a few reasons why we believe straight teeth are so important for all our patients:
Do you ever feel like you need to keep your mouth closed because you don’t want people to see how crooked your teeth are when you smile? Getting your teeth straightened can give you the confidence to smile more, which can relieve stress and improve your mood. When you’re more confident, your self-esteem also increases, which in turn helps you accomplish more.
When your teeth are straight, your gums fit securely around them, which helps your gums stay healthy. When your teeth are crooked, crowded, or spaced too far apart, your gums can become red and inflamed due to bacteria that builds up and causes infection — this is called gum disease or periodontal disease.
If you do get gum disease because of crooked teeth and don’t treat the problem, the symptoms only get worse. Once gum disease progresses far enough, you can begin to lose mass in your jawbone and your teeth may loosen and fall out. Gum disease has also been linked to far more serious problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Getting your teeth properly aligned can help keep you healthy by preventing these problems.
If your teeth are crowded together or too crooked, they’re more difficult to clean with brushing and flossing. The inability to clean every area of your mouth means that plaque and bits of food can build up, leading to more bacteria and infections. Plus, if it’s harder to clean your teeth, you’re less likely to do it — straight teeth make dental hygiene much easier.
If your teeth are misaligned, this can lead to stress and tension in your jaw, face, and neck. This can radiate into your head to cause chronic headaches as well. Once your teeth are straight, your bite lines up correctly and these problems disappear.
As you can see, straight teeth are important for much more than just your smile. Dr. Nataly Vilderman and our team are experts at using Invisalign to bring your teeth back into proper alignment. Don’t wait to start your journey to a better smile and better health — contact us today, by phone or online, to set up an appointment.
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