If your teeth are noticeably crooked, you may be considering straightening them with traditional braces. While the treatment can be rather lengthy – often lasting around 2 years – it will ultimately be worth it in the long run once you experience the advantages that come with having properly aligned teeth. Below is a closer look at 5 of the benefits you can enjoy after straightening your smile with braces.
1. Straight Teeth are Easier to Clean
A misaligned smile can be hard to brush and floss properly. In particular, you’re likely to have a difficult time cleaning the spaces between any teeth that are crowded too closely together. This can result in the buildup of plaque and tartar that can easily lead to cavities and gum disease. Straightening your teeth with braces can make it much easier to practice proper oral hygiene and maintain a healthy mouth.
2. Straight Teeth Can Improve Digestion
When your teeth are perfectly straight, they allow you to chew your food more thoroughly. Proper chewing is an essential part of the digestion process, making it easier for the stomach to break down your food. This ultimately lowers your risk for stomach problems and aids your body in getting the maximum amount of nutrition from your meals.
3. Straight Teeth are Less Prone to Damage
Crooked teeth tend to be more likely to break due to a variety of factors. For one thing, having a misaligned smile means that the forces of your bite aren’t being distributed properly; thus, some teeth might become fractured due to excessive pressure. Furthermore, crooked teeth tend to be more susceptible to damage if you happen to suffer a blow to the mouth or jaw. As such, straightening your teeth with braces can go a long way toward protecting them from this kind of harm.
4. Straight Teeth Can Improve Your Speech
The positions of your teeth can potentially affect the way you talk. Depending on how severe the misalignment is, crooked teeth can cause you to lisp or slur your words. They may also make it difficult to produce certain sounds such as “d” or “t.” By straightening your teeth with braces, you can correct these issues, allowing you to speak more clearly.
5. Straight Teeth Can Boost Your Confidence
Having noticeably crooked teeth can be embarrassing, making you reluctant to show off your smile in social situations. But once your teeth have been straightened by braces, you’re likely to feel significantly more confident about the way you look. This can give your overall self-esteem a boost and help you feel more at ease when interacting with others.
In short, there are plenty of reasons why a straighter smile can be worth pursuing. If you’re tired of living with crooked teeth, now’s a great time to schedule a consultation with your dentist and find out whether braces are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Ben Omrani has more than two decades of dental experience, and he is completely dedicated to helping his patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles with fully personalized care. Among the many services he provides, he is proud to offer traditional braces for straightening crooked teeth. If you’re thinking of getting braces to correct your misaligned smile, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Omrani at Platinum Dental Group of San Juan Capistrano by visiting his website or calling (949) 661-2052.