The Importance of Straight Teeth

The importance of teeth straightening should not be overlooked.

WHY STRAIGHT TEETH ARE IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH

The importance of teeth straightening should not be overlooked. It’s not only an indication of good dental work but also helps maintain health and wellness along with improving confidence to combating heart disease.

Research conducted by Harris Poll found almost 80% of patients believed the decision to straighten their teeth was life-changing. While straightening crooked teeth can improve self confidence (we all want to look our best), the oral health benefits should not be overlooked. So just how does the straightening of teeth improve your health?

STRAIGHT TEETH ARE HEALTHY TEETH

In the old days, dentistry was reactive. People only visited the dentist when they had a toothache. This often led to bigger problems such as abscessed teeth, tooth loss, and gum disease. Tooth decay also led to malnutrition and the problems that arise when we do not eat well. Now, we focus on preventative dental health to ensure our clients have a full set of teeth for their entire lifetime.

Crooked teeth make it difficult to perform proper dental hygiene. Flossing and brushing crooked teeth is not as effective. Food and plaque-producing bacteria are often left in between teeth and gums where the floss cannot reach. This leads to a buildup of bacterial plaque, which, if not removed, will lead to periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, and tooth loss.

MAKE SURE YOUR BITE IS ALRIGHT

Increased tooth decay is not the only reason to consider straightening your teeth. Bite problems should also be taken into consideration. Malocclusion, commonly known as bite problems, can cause excessive and uneven wear on your teeth. When the bite is out of alignment, it can cause undue stress and excessive wear on some teeth. It can also cause possible jaw joint problems, headaches, neck pain and even breathing problems.

When our spine is out of alignment, it can cause stress and tension on other parts of our body. The same is true of our teeth. This is why it is so important to visit your dentist to ensure your teeth are straight and functioning as they should.

Common malocclusion problems include:

Upper protrusion or overjet, more commonly known as ‘buck teeth’.
An overbite, when the upper front teeth push further forward than the lower teeth.
An underbite, when the lower front teeth push further forward than the upper teeth.
A cross bite, when either the top or the bottom teeth cross over sideways.
A misplaced midline, when the center point of the upper and lower teeth are not aligned.

Issues with malocclusion include tooth chips, breakages, and fractures. Protruding, crooked or crowded teeth are not as well protected as straight teeth and are often easily chipped or fractured, and can lead to costly repairs.

Research in dentistry has discovered that crooked teeth contribute to gum disease which can cause oral bacteria to enter your bloodstream. The problem with oral infections and inflammation is that it can be the cause of serious health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. According to a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, gum disease can lead to a 24-35 percent increase in coronary artery disease.

LIVE WELL, EAT WELL, SMILE MORE

Your quality of life can be seriously impacted by crooked teeth. The problems that arise can alter how you eat and what you eat. A crooked smile affects how you greet people and how confident you feel in social situations. Most importantly, as we now know, it can lead to costly dental repairs and seriously affect your health.

If it’s time to make improvements to your quality of life and you want to find out more about teeth straightening in Kelowna, give us a call. With today’s advanced knowledge in dentistry, no-one needs to put up with crooked teeth. We believe everyone should feel confident about how they look when they smile, it’s important for your health and sense of well being, and as Mother Teresa once said, “peace begins with a smile.”

So invest in your smile, because you are worth it, and smiling makes the world a better place.