A straighter smile undoubtedly looks more beautiful, but did you realise it’s frequently healthier too? In fact, straightening your teeth with orthodontics could improve your oral health.
How Crooked Teeth Affect Your Oral Health
When your teeth are crooked and misaligned it’s often trickier to keep them clean. Teeth that are overlapping and crowded can be difficult to brush and floss thoroughly, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Gaps in between your teeth not only look unsightly but can create food traps, again increasing the risk of cavities. Teeth that are significantly crooked or which do not bite together correctly can wear differently. When you bite or chew, a greater force is placed on some of your teeth instead of these forces being evenly distributed. An incorrect bite puts stress on your jaw joints, potentially creating inflammation and pain that can even cause headaches and earache.
Why Straighter Teeth Are Healthier
Straighter teeth wear more evenly, reducing the risk of them chipping or cracking, and it protects your jaw joints too. You’ll find it’s simpler to brush and floss thoroughly, maintaining healthy teeth and gums more easily. Straight teeth can last longer, provided of course, that you keep up with your regular checkups and look after your teeth at home.