The Benefits of Straight Teeth: A Complete Guide

Seven years old – that’s the age that experts recommend for an initial orthodontist consultation visit. While many young kids and teenagers get braces, you’ll be happy to know that braces aren’t just for kids.

You can actually get braces at any age, and you can choose from traditional braces, Invisalign, or other options. 

If you’re unsure whether to proceed with braces, you might feel encouraged to get them by learning about the benefits of straight teeth. 

Braces help you achieve straight teeth, and here is a complete guide to help you know the benefits of having straight teeth. 

The Two Main Types of Braces

Having straight teeth is a goal that many people have, but you can acquire straight teeth in several ways. Here is a description of the two main options you can choose from:

Traditional Braces

The first option is traditional braces, and these are ideal for people of all ages. Traditional braces are what most people think of when they think of braces. 

A set of traditional braces includes brackets on the teeth and a wire that runs through the brackets. The wire has enough tension to gradually shift the teeth into the proper alignment. 

It might take one to three years for braces to align enough to have perfect teeth. 

Invisalign

The second choice is Invisalign. Invisalign requires wearing removable, clear aligners. The aligners also place tension on the teeth to shift them into place. 

During this process, you receive new aligners every few weeks, and each set is slighter tighter than the previous set. It might take one to two years for these aligners to position your teeth properly. 

Problems Braces Can Fix

Choosing either type of system can help you have perfectly straight teeth, but one option might be better than the other. It really depends on the condition of your teeth and what they need. 

In most cases, braces and Invisalign can fix misaligned teeth. They can also force teeth into place to fill in gaps. 

If you have an overbite, traditional braces tend to work better at correcting this problem, but Invisalign can also help with minor overbites. 

One key difference is that you cannot remove braces. You can remove the clear aligners, though. For the best Invisalign results, you’ll need to make sure you wear the aligners all the time, except when you’re eating.  

Top Benefits of Straight Teeth

So, why do people want braces? Well, there are plenty of reasons, but most people want them because they look nicer. Did you know, though, that there are many health benefits of straight teeth?

Increased Self-Confidence

The first benefit of straight teeth is the increased self-confidence you will have from them. When you’re not afraid or embarrassed to smile, you’ll probably smile more with right dental treatment.

When you’re proud of how your teeth look, you’ll feel more confident in life. This confidence can spill over into all parts of life, including your relationships and job. 

If you currently feel self-conscious about your teeth, getting braces can change everything. You won’t know how much of an impact this has until you look in the mirror and like what you see. 

While this isn’t a health benefit directly, it is indirectly. The way you feel about yourself can affect your physical health. Therefore, getting straighter teeth can improve your health. 

Reduced Risk of Cavities

Next, straight teeth can help you reduce the risk of cavities. When a person has crooked or overcrowded teeth, they might experience challenges trying to keep them clean. 

It’s much harder to clean crooked teeth than straight teeth. When your teeth are crooked, food particles can get lodged in areas that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. 

As a result, people with crooked or overcrowded teeth often develop more cavities and other oral health problems. If you want a healthier smile, you can achieve it by straightening your teeth. 

Improved Speech

Some people have trouble enunciating certain sounds because of the alignment of their teeth. Others have trouble speaking due to large overbites. 

If you ever struggle trying to say specific sounds, it might be due to your teeth. Did you know that braces can help with this issue? 

When you get braces or Invisalign, you develop straight teeth over time. When you have straight teeth, your tongue can touch the proper areas of your mouth while speaking, hence improving the way you speak. 

Decreased Risk of Issues From Wear and Tear

Crooked and misaligned teeth also put people at a higher risk for tooth damage. For example, if you have a tooth that sticks up higher than the others, it can rub against your other teeth. 

If it rubs too much, you can damage your teeth. Misaligned teeth tend to lead to more damage from wear and tear, too. You can experience this if you grind your teeth, and this occurs from trauma to the mouth. 

When you have perfectly straight teeth, they will fit together just right. As a result, you’ll protect your teeth from chips, cracks, and other problems. 

Improved Digestion

Some experts also believe that straight teeth can also improve digestion. If your teeth are so crooked that it’s hard to chew, you might swallow your food too quickly. 

When you don’t chew your food well, it makes it more difficult for your digestive system to process it. Having straight teeth helps you chew easier. The result of this is an improvement to your digestive system. 

These are some of the top straight teeth benefits you can reap through orthodontic treatment. You can learn about others by visiting an orthodontist. 

Schedule a Consultation Visit to Learn More

Learning the benefits of straight teeth might persuade you to seek advice from an orthodontist. You can schedule a consultation visit with an orthodontist to learn more about your options. 

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