Why Having Straight Teeth is Beneficial to Your Overall Health

While most people associate braces with its aesthetic benefits, in reality, straight teeth actually encourages good oral health. Today, about 74 percent of American adults are affected by crooked teeth. And the effects of crooked teeth only worsen over time. It can affect your bite, your oral health, and overall health. Here are some of the health benefits of fixing your tooth alignment problems…

Enhances Your Oral Health

First and foremost, misaligned or crooked teeth make it extremely difficult to maintain good oral health. Due to the uneven growth pattern of the teeth may result in random gaps and overcrowded spots in your mouth which become especially susceptible to external damage. Not only does it become hard to clean, but the uneven growth may also impact the root integrity of your teeth, resulting in weaker teeth as well as bite related problems which in turn impacts all your oral activities like eating, speaking, and chewing.

Reduces Risk of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

The Temporomandibular joint (or TMJ is the jaw joint that connects your jaw bone to your skull and dysfunction in this joint can result in extreme discomfort. Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can increase the chances of this condition because when the temporomandibular joint undergoes additional stress due to misaligned teeth, it will result in jaw pain, dizziness, and earaches and makes activities like speaking, eating, and chewing extremely difficult.

Prevents the Risk of Contracting Tooth and Gum Diseases

Crooked or crowded teeth make it nearly impossible to properly clean your teeth. The tight spaces that are created as a result of misaligned teeth provide harmful bacteria with the perfect location to multiply inside your mouth. Such areas see frequent bacteria, plaque, and food debris which eventually leads to tooth decay. However, with timely orthodontic care, your dentist will be able to avoid such tight spots in the mouth using orthodontic braces and make it easier to clean and floss, thus reducing the chances of tooth decay and periodontal diseases.

Improves Digestive Activity in the Body

When your teeth aren’t properly aligned, it becomes tougher to chew your food properly and you will probably end up swallowing uneven pieces of food. Now, not only does this practice put extra strain on your teeth, but also leads to poor digestive health and eventually results in poor bowel movement and indigestion.

(Author Bio: Emily Taylor is the online marketing manager at Thurman Orthodontics in Fresno, CA and believes that a great smile does more than just make a person look great – it makes them feel great as well.)