Having your teeth fixed is about more than wanting to look good. It also offers plenty of health benefits, some of which may surprise you.
Here are six ways cosmetic dentistry can help your overall well-being.
1) Better Mental Health
The first and most obvious benefit of straighter teeth is improved mental health.
Crooked teeth can make you reluctant to smile and drastically sap your confidence. This can easily become a real issue that impacts your personal life and career. Behaviors such as refraining from public speaking, reduced social engagement and lowered apparent mood can all be compounded by an embarrassing smile.
An improved smile can boost confidence in both social and professional situations, reducing stress and leading to a less anxious outlook on life.
2) Fewer Cavities, Less Decay
Crooked teeth are harder to keep clean, and food debris becomes trapped more easily. This leads to quicker plaque build-ups, increasing the risk of cavities and decay.
Straighter teeth also mean less gum exposure, providing fewer places for plaque to hide from flossing.
3) Reduced Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of bacteria, and if left unchecked, can quickly lead to tooth loss. Crooked teeth aren’t a direct cause of gum disease, but they really don’t help the situation. Bacteria build up more quickly in the hard-to-floss nooks and crannies of crooked teeth, making conditions like gingivitis more difficult to control.
Also, crowded and crooked teeth can cause irritation to your gums, making them tender and giving the harmful bacteria an easier opening to do their nasty work.
4) Lower Risks of Serious Diseases
Poor hygiene caused by difficult cleaning can also lead to oral infections. This, in turn, increases the statistical risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia as well as many other serious diseases. Straighter teeth really can lead to a healthier body.
5) Reduced Headaches
If you have misaligned teeth and also suffer from frequent headaches, the two issues may actually be linked. People with misaligned teeth often grind them together while sleeping, a result of trying to rest the jaw in a comfortable position.
This causes tired and strained jaw muscles, interrupted sleep, and tension headaches. Orthodontic work or clear aligners can reduce the tension, which may, in turn, diminish headaches.
6) Less Damage to Teeth, Less Wear and Tear
When your teeth are misaligned, the pressures of biting and chewing are unevenly distributed. Some teeth will take more impact than others, and this leads to heavier wear and tear on the most prominent teeth. In time, this can cause chipping and other damage, with serious risks of tooth loss following close behind.
To sum it up…
A more attractive smile is just one benefit of straightening crooked teeth and improving a smile. Cosmetic dentistry offers many health and psychic benefits to go with your new look. Thanks to modern technologies, it has never been faster or easier to get the enhancements you want and need. Visit us for more info about your smile!
