The Hidden Benefits of Straight Teeth: Beyond Just a Beautiful Smile

Have you ever walked into a party and noticed a crowd of people gathered around one person? Everyone is laughing and having a good time. As you get closer, the seas part, and you are in front of a friend of a friend with the most amazingly perfect, straight smile.

While straight teeth make for aesthetically pleasing smiles, the benefits are well beyond the runway and celebrity smiles. In this blog, J. A. Duval, DDS, shares his insights on the hidden benefits of a gorgeous, straight smile.

Optimal alignment and optimal bite  

Straight teeth create an aesthetic balance for facial features and attractiveness. That same balance also creates proper alignment between your teeth and jawbone. When your teeth and your jaw are aligned, the result is an optimal bite, which enables you to perform a variety of healthy, normal functions we may take for granted, like chewing and biting food.

 But that’s not all. Crooked, gapped, or crowded teeth may create a perfect storm for oral and overall health issues.

More effective flossing and brushing

Crooked, twisted teeth make effective at-home hygiene care challenging at best. Flossing and brushing your teeth resembles working through a challenging obstacle course trying to clear food debris out of all those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. 

Lowers risk of cavities and gum disease

Similarly, straight teeth make it easier to practice vigilant at-home oral care, such as combating decay, cavities, and gum disease. Plaque buildup and bacteria don’t stand a chance when you’re able to efficiently and effectively clean your teeth and keep your gums healthy.

Helps you speak clearly

While we may not think about it much, how clearly we speak is all about the relationship between your teeth, lips, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. With proper alignment, the process is seamless and creates a best-case scenario for enunciating clearly. Crooked, twisted teeth present a higher risk of lisping or whistling sounds. 

Enables healthy food options

If you have a toothache or missing teeth, you are familiar with how important your teeth are for eating a variety of foods. With straight teeth and optimal alignment, you can choose a large spectrum of foods to eat. A balanced diet and the ability to chew properly leads to optimal digestion and fueling your body. Adversely, if you select food solely based on whether you can eat it, chances are you are not making choices based on nutritional value. 

Reduces chances of tooth damage and excessive wear

Not surprisingly, misaligned teeth and bites may lead to tooth damage and wear. Chips, cracks, excessive wear, or unevenly worn teeth often happen when your teeth are crooked and your bite is off, making your teeth touch at awkward angles.

A broad range of orthodontic treatment options

It’s never too late to capture your best smile. At Duval Orthodontics, we offer a range of orthodontic treatment options for children, teens, and adults. Options include traditional braces, ceramic braces, and proprietary treatment options such as Six Month Smiles, Incognito™ lingual braces, Damon® braces, clear braces, and Invisalign.

If you’re ready to start your journey to an epic smile, schedule a consultation with Duval Orthodontics today to learn more about orthodontic treatment or retainers. Book your visit by calling our office in Warner Robins or Albany, Georgia, or requesting an appointment online.