The Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

Straight and even teeth are a wonderful asset. Not only is your smile much more becoming, but you have a self-confident way about you when your teeth are near perfect. Aside from aesthetics, having straight teeth also provides health benefits you probably never knew about.

Most of us aren’t born with perfectly straight teeth, and there are many reasons why people have crooked teeth. Having a small mouth or a misaligned jaw due to genetics can cause teeth to grow sideways or crooked. Other times, crooked teeth are the result of an accident or illness. There’s also a good bit of truth to the theory that thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or drinking from a baby bottle can cause teeth to grow in crooked, especially if these habits continue after age 3.  

A confident, beautiful smile awaits you

While correcting crooked teeth provides lovely results in the form of straighter teeth, orthodontics can also help you, or your child, maintain good health for life. Studies now show a direct correlation between oral health and the development of many chronic conditions. In fact, there’s mounting evidence that poor oral health can lead to cardiovascular disease and many other health problems. 

Here at Nataly Vilderman, DDS, we work with adults and children to achieve their orthodontic goals with InvisalignⓇ.

Dr. Vilderman understands firsthand the desire for a beautiful, healthy smile, and the positive difference straight teeth can make in your quality of life. 

Benefits of straight teeth

There are several benefits to be gained through orthodontics. Straight teeth do much to promote good oral health and give you the confidence you need to live your best life.

Straighter teeth:

• Make oral hygiene much easier to maintain. When your teeth are straight, brushing and flossing are much more effective. When you’re able to keep up thorough care of your teeth and gums, you’re less likely to develop plaque, a major contributor to cavities and gum disease. 
• Help prevent periodontal disease and related health problems. Having straighter teeth allows you to clean your teeth more easily, including at the gum line. This is important not only for preventing cavities, but also gum disease and the health issues it’s been linked to, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and more. Bacteria involved in gum disease can travel through your bloodstream, which may put you at risk for endocarditis, an infection of the heart.
• Are less prone to consequences of bite issues. When your bite is off, whether it’s an overbite, underbite, or other problem, your teeth are more prone to damage. They can rub against each other when you chew and speak, causing loss of enamel, cracks, and even tooth breakage.
• Can help you eat a healthier diet. If you have trouble chewing because of misaligned teeth or if chewing causes you pain, you’re less apt to eat the kinds of foods you need to maintain good nutrition. Healthy foods such as fruits, raw vegetables, nuts, and seeds can sometimes be difficult to chew. 

There are emotional benefits that go along with straight teeth, too. As your self-esteem improves, you may feel more outgoing and social, a proven way to ward off depression. And when your self-esteem is higher, you tend to take better care of yourself and make healthier choices overall.

Straighter, healthier teeth begin here

A healthy life begins with a beautiful, confident smile, and straight teeth are the cornerstone of good oral health. To find out more about Invisalign for adults and children, and how your health can benefit from straight teeth, contact Nataly Vilderman, DDS  for a consultation. We serve the greater San Francisco, California, area and look forward to assisting you in your straighter teeth goals.