Over four million Americans wear braces. Around one-quarter of them are adults because they many want perfectly straight teeth.

One of their reasons for investing in orthodontia is to have perfect straight teeth. While some countries think Americans are obsessed with naturally straight teeth, we have good reason to be.

There are several health benefits to having straight teeth. If you’re wondering how to get your teeth straight and why you should invest in a perfect smile, keep reading.

We’re sharing with you seven health benefits of having perfectly straight teeth.

1. Perfect Straight Teeth is Linked to Better Digestion

Whether you have naturally straight teeth or they were straightened by orthodontia, they’re better for chewing. And chewing is the beginning of the food digestion process.

When you chew your food more thoroughly, it helps speed up the digestion process. Also, food that’s been chewed poorly makes the stomach and intestines work harder.

You end up getting less nutrition and experience stomach issues. Even healthy eaters who don’t chew their food properly can suffer from an unhealthy gut.

2. Easier to Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy

Teeth that are either too crowded together or too widely spaced out can become red and inflamed. Gums that are inflamed and red are signs of periodontal disease.

When your teeth are straighter, it’s easier to clean and maintain. Crooked teeth make it more difficult to floss and brush properly because it’s harder to get into the crevices.

You’ll also have to work less hard to maintain clean teeth if they’re straight.

3. Improved and Clearer Speech

While you may not be aware of it, your teeth play an important role in your speech. If you have teeth that are crowded, gapped or protruding from your mouth, it can affect your speaking patterns negatively.

By investing in orthodontia, you’ll find that within an average of six months, your speech could begin to improve.

4. Lower Neck and Head Pain

With perfect teeth, there is no excessive stress put on your joints, jaw bone or gums. Crooked teeth, however, can contribute to jaw misalignment.

And that can lead to chronic pain in your neck, face or even headaches. Straightening your teeth will align them so that your bite begins to work correctly.

This allows your temporomandibular joints to move smoothly without placing unnecessary stress on them. You’ll begin to notice fewer headaches and migraines. You’ll also find it’s easier to chew.

5. Fewer Breaks, Chips or Cracks

Teeth that are crooked or protrude are more likely to break or crack if you fall or are in an accident. Also, when you have crooked teeth, it’s harder to have good dental hygiene which can also weaken your teeth and make it easier to crack or break them.

You’re also more susceptible to biting your cheeks and tongue more often, which can cause painful sores.

Straight teeth offer your teeth greater protection against cracks, chips, breaks, and sores.

6. Less Wear and Tear

The straighter your teeth are, the less wear and tear you place on your teeth, gums, and jaw. Biting and chewing alone generate quite a bit of pressure.

Properly aligned teeth can handle biting and chewing without problems arising. However, those with bite problems end up putting an excessive amount of stress on their teeth.

That can lead to notching at the gum line, fractures, and even abnormal flattening of the biting surface. Not only does the damage look bad, but it increases your risk of periodontal disease. This could lead to expensive dental work in the future.

7. Increased Self Confidence

People with imperfect teeth are far less likely to smile. They tend to feel embarrassed about their teeth.

Meanwhile, those with naturally straight teeth or those who invested in orthodontia usually love smiling for the camera or just because. Smiling is seen as a sign of confidence so having an imperfect smile may be holding people back from living the life they deserve.

How to Make Your Teeth Straighter

If you’re wondering how to fix crooked teeth, there are several options. It all depends on how healthy your teeth are and which option will work best for your needs.

Retainer

A retainer can be a great solution for those with minor teeth problems such as a single crooked tooth or a tooth gap.

They’re less expensive and if you had braces, you’d need to wear one afterward to ensure your teeth stay straight.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers don’t fix the problem, but they do cover up any imperfections using a porcelain or resin shell. Veneers look almost exactly like natural teeth and are stain-resistant.

However, most dentists and orthodontists recommend you wait to get veneers until after age 35.

Braces

Braces work best if you have major teeth problems such as crossbites, overbites or underbites. There are several types of braces available such as:

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the traditional braces that everyone had to wear in the past. Thankfully, modern metal brackets are smaller than what most adults remember from their childhood.

Also, there are now heat-activated archwires that can help your teeth move more quickly. These archwires also make your teeth moving less painful.

Invisalign

Invisalign looks similar to a mouthguard. It’s clear and removable. Every two weeks they are replaced.

Usually, the patient needs a series of 18 to 30 custom-made aligners to address their teeth issues.

Ceramic Braces

While ceramic braces are the same shape and size as metal braces, they have clear or tooth-colored brackets so they blend into your teeth.

You may even be able to get tooth-colored wires.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are the same as metal braces. However, the brackets and wires are placed on the inside of your teeth so no one can see them.

Schedule Your Appointment

Some people just naturally have perfect straight teeth. Others come to us to learn how to make teeth straight.

If you’re looking t have a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth, we can help. Schedule your appointment with us today.