At any one time, millions of Americans are engaging in efforts to improve their smile. Many of those people are choosing to do so by straightening their teeth. There are plenty of reasons to straighten one’s teeth, and thanks to new advances in orthodontic care, plenty of options on how to do so.
Keep reading for a complete list of 20 reasons to get your teeth straightened!
1) Have Straighter Teeth
Perhaps the most obvious reason to straighten your teeth is the fact that you will have straighter teeth, but it still bears mentioning. Straight teeth are not only aesthetically pleasing but they have a big impact on your oral health.
2) Get Healthier Teeth
Crooked and crowded teeth create traps for food and bacteria, which makes you more susceptible to developing gum disease and tooth decay. You don’t want all your regular brushing and flossing to go to waste, do you? Take control of your oral health by straightening your teeth.
3) Prevent Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the silent rival to all good oral health一it can sneak up on you and take hold without you even realizing! While cutting back on your sugar intake and maintaining a good diet is always a smart idea, it may not be enough to keep your mouth completely clear of tooth decay. Straightening your teeth makes it easier to thoroughly clean your mouth.
4) Improve Your Bite
A person’s bite develops over time and is thoroughly influenced by the shape of the teeth. If they don’t fit together properly, then the bite will be adjusted for the difference, and a malformed bite can lead to a number of health complications later in life.
5) Enhance your Face
This one may seem a little shallow, but a person’s face is the glue that holds us all together, according to Scientific American. People make split-second decisions about another person based on their face, so why not enhance yours with a great smile?
6) Make Cleaning Easier
Straight teeth are much easier to clean than those that are crooked or otherwise misshaped. This is because there are fewer nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide in. Make cleaning easier on yourself, and you’ll be more likely to do it regularly.
7) Treat a Crooked Jaw
Temporomandibular disorder, also known as TMJ or TMD, is a condition that occurs when the upper and lower jaws don’t come together comfortably. It can result in chronic pain later on as a misaligned jaw or crooked teeth can lead to clenching and/or grinding. Straightening your teeth offers a long-term solution to the discomfort and the stability that may help you put an end to teeth grinding or clenching.
8) Reduce Risk for Sleep Apnea
Straight teeth are typically associated with a properly formed lower face and neck, which allows for adequate air development. Crowded teeth are sometimes associated with a narrow jaw and airway, which puts a person at much higher risk of sleep apnea.
9) Speak More Clearly
Improved speech is often a great side effect of straighter teeth. Once a person’s teeth are better aligned, their mouth moves more naturally and it makes the process of speaking easier and more clear. Paired with a dazzling new smile, the improved speech can be a wonderful confidence booster to those who seek out teeth straightening.
10) No More Stigma
No matter which way a person chooses to straighten their teeth, the stigma that once surrounded certain treatments is all but gone in most parts of the country. People see teeth straightening treatment as a step to better oneself and applaud the effort. Braces and invisible aligners may feel a little ungainly at first, but you’ll hardly notice them after a while.
11) Reduce Risk of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious disease that affects a person’s gums and usually happens as a result of poor oral hygiene efforts. As we established at the top of this list, straighter teeth greatly improve the process of cleaning one’s teeth, which in turn improves the health of a person’s gums. Periodontal disease is fairly avoidable but can lead to serious pain and problems if left untreated.
12) Prevent Breakage
Broken teeth are a pain for anyone, and the chances of a person breaking their teeth are much higher if teeth aren’t straight. This has to do with the clenching and grinding that is often a symptom of crooked teeth but is also related to unusual wear patterns that develop and can become detrimental to teeth if a person even bites a piece of food the wrong way. Prevent breakage by improving the shape of your teeth.
13) Decrease Wear
Crooked or uneven teeth don’t fit together well, so usually, a person creates excess wear by trying to fit them together while chewing. When your teeth are straight, your bite will hit at a predictable, steady pace, thus reducing excess wear over time.
14) Self Care is In
Self-care has never been so popular or widely supported, and much of that is thanks to companies and services that are making things like orthodontic care more available to more people than ever before. These coming new years, you may vow to take care of your body by going to the gym or improving your diet, why not vow to care for your teeth by improving their alignment?
15) Develop More Confidence
Perhaps one of the most talked about and appreciated reasons for straightening your teeth is the confidence that a person develops as a result. With nice straight teeth, it’s almost impossible to not feel an instant boost in your confidence. This can lead to better work performances, more opportunities in your personal relationships, and an improved outlook in life overall.
16) Have a Great Smile
A beautiful smile is the best accessory, no matter the season. ‘Nuff said.
17) Improve Health Overall
The health of your mouth is intrinsically linked to the overall health of your body. Improving the shape and look of your teeth will make oral hygiene easier and more accessible, creating a domino effect of good health and hygiene throughout the rest of your body.
18) Plenty of Options to Choose From
There have never been more options to choose from when considering orthodontic improvement then there are now. While braces might be the traditional choice, invisible aligners afford people more comfort and confidence throughout their treatment. If you are dealing with mild to moderate orthodontic changes and interested in seeing the same results in less time and at a much lower cost, consider Impressions. Impressions is the at-home aligner that’s made straightening teeth a breeze for thousands of other patients. Check us out.
This list is full of great reasons to consider straightening one’s teeth, but it really comes down to taking care of yourself and loving the way you look. If you are interested in learning more about Impressions and whether or not you’re a candidate, get in touch with us. Our helpful staff is available to answer any question you might have.
