Everyone wants that perfect smile – but what are the real benefits of straight teeth? This list may surprise you!
Benefits of straight teeth – straight from the dentist’s mouth!
A smile that reveals a set of straight, gleaming teeth is often seen as a mark of confidence. Such teeth regularly glint on cinema screens and flicker across television sets. But they’re not just an indicator of an attractive face – they also reveal a person’s good health!
There are many amazing benefits of straight teeth – here are just seven of them!
1. Easy to clean
Straight teeth are much easier to floss than those that are crowded in on each other. Straight teeth make removing small pieces of food, which may otherwise become trapped, easy. Removing food residue through flossing prevents plaque build-up, staving off tooth decay.
2. Decreases gum disease
As crooked teeth normally need much more attention to be kept clean, it is not surprising that gum problems could easily become exacerbated. Poorly aligned teeth can put unnecessary pressure on jaw joint, which could be associated with neck pain and headaches. A straight set of teeth with a perfect bite may reduce the chance of these problems.
3. Decreased chance of tooth injury
The result of a systematic review confirms what every parent intuitively knows. A poorly aligned tooth that protrudes is impacted in the case of a fall or injury. These teeth are at greater risk of being broken in the event of an accident. Treatment under care of a specialist orthodontist who not only cares about making teeth straight but is also able to create the perfect bite will reduce the chance of trauma and fractured front teeth.
4. Improvement of self-esteem
People with crooked or crowded teeth are often self-conscious about their smiles. Research has shown that regular smiling leads to improved self-esteem and self-confidence, which reflect positively on a person’s mental health. If a person avoids smiling because they are ashamed or worried about their crooked teeth, their mental health may be negatively impacted. New research from UQ shows long-term improvement in the quality of oral health in the lives of patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment.
5. Prevents tooth wear
If the bottom row of teeth are crowded, one or more teeth are likely to jut out. These teeth then wear against the upper teeth and will reduce chewing function and unnecessarily wear the tooth enamel. A comprehensive orthodontic treatment will improve the bite of patients and inherently address these issues.
6. More likely to find a healthy partner
A 2012 Monash University study found that straight teeth play a large part in determining who will partner with who. People with straight teeth are subconsciously identified by those around them as fit and healthy – and better suited to producing similarly healthy offspring!
7. Straight teeth improve overall health
The condition of a person’s teeth is an excellent indicator of their overall health. Teeth have been used for centuries to quickly determine whether someone is healthy or not. Crooked teeth have generally been a sign that there may be other health issues at play.
The benefits of straight teeth!
Tooth decay and gum disease, most commonly associated with crooked or crowded teeth, results in a build up of bad bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria can, if left untreated, lead to mouth sores, bleeding gums and even tooth loss!
It’s not surprising that a perfect bite enables patients to chew better… so get those smiles straight!
