How does straightening your teeth improve your everyday life?

A straight smile may look and feel great, but did you know there are other benefits to a perfect row of pearly whites? It’s true: Straight teeth do more than simply beautify your smile. In fact, they can change your entire life, from overall health to cost savings to self-confidence. These are some of the benefits you can expect from investing in braces or Invisalign for a stunning smile.

You’ll smile more.

When you’re proud of your teeth, you’ll be far more likely to show them off. This may sound like a minor benefit, but it’s not—smiling more actually has health benefits on psychological and physiological levels. Smiling can result in a rise in endorphins, elevating your mood, but it can also improve stress levels and even lower blood pressure. In addition, smiling can make you seem like a friendly person, which can alleviate pressure in social situations. 

The more you smile, the happier you’ll feel.

Brushing and flossing are easier.

When your teeth are crowded and crooked, it can be far more difficult to brush and floss effectively. Teeth that are too tight together or overlapping can result in areas impossible to reach with at-home dental care, increasing the likelihood of cavities and periodontal disease. 

If you’re tired of getting cavities and want to address oral afflictions like periodontitis and gingivitis, straightening your teeth can improve your ability to care for your oral health with basic dental supplies. And your teeth can stay whiter too!

You’ll be able to chew more easily.

Chewing your food is obviously an important part of eating, but did you know that properly-aligned teeth play a key role in digestion? When teeth don’t connect properly, it may be impossible to chew some foods correctly, resulting in more challenging digestion. Larger food particles can be harder for the body to break down, creating potential health issues. 

Further, when things like severe bite problems physically limit chewing, it restricts your diet. When you can’t chew healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat proteins, you may be hurting your overall wellness.

It helps prevent TMJ disorders.

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, affects the mobility of the jaw joints and their muscles. It can be challenging to live with because it limits jaw motion in a way that makes talking and chewing painful and stressful. It can also result in clicking or locking, making normal function impossible. 

TMD can be caused by trauma, arthritis, normal wear and tear, or—you guessed it—bite misalignment. When your jaw is forced to function in an unnatural way, problems arise. Straightening your teeth can help prevent the development of TMD and, in some cases, alleviate pain or correct existing cases.

It reduces your risk of chips and cracks.

When your teeth don’t come together properly, potential problems go beyond aesthetics. Issues with occlusion can cause chips and cracks in your teeth when you bite down too hard, leading to enamel damage and the potential for infection. In general, these dental problems can’t go ignored; without proper treatment, cracks will worsen, leaving your tooth needing a root canal and crown to prevent tooth loss.

It saves you money.

Straightening your teeth can be an expense, but aligning your bite can actually save you money in the long run. A straight smile means you’ll have no issues chewing, and the likelihood of chips and cracks will be significantly reduced. Further, TMD is less likely to occur organically, and you’ll likely spend less on treating cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Costs like root canals, fillings, and crowns can add up quickly, and it doesn’t take long to exceed the cost of braces or Invisalign.

You give a better first impression.

A great smile is the best way to make a first impression. The smile you show the world can say a lot about you; a straight, beautiful smile communicates openness, confidence, and happiness—all things that attract and endear other people. When you present yourself confidently, you’re more likely to win people over, make friends, and even land better job opportunities. It’s possible to be confident without perfect teeth, of course, but when you can smile with pride, you’re able to put your best foot forward.

It promotes a healthier lifestyle.

You may think your teeth are just one small part of your body’s overall health, but that’s not necessarily true. When you’re proud of your smile and full of self-confidence, you’re more likely to want to protect your teeth, as well as the rest of your body. You’ll probably want to take care of your investment too; when you pay to improve your oral health, you want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

We take care of the things that matter to us, and with straight teeth, your smile and your appearance will be guaranteed points of pride.Teeth straightening can be a great way to enhance quality of life, from improving oral health to boosting self-confidence.

When you make the choice to straighten your teeth, you’re making a commitment to yourself; when you look and feel your best, every day will feel a little bit brighter. To see how Invisalign can help you, book an evaluation with us by requesting an appointment online today.