5 Long-Term Reasons to Align Your Teeth

Everyone wants a perfect, beautiful smile. But few people are born with perfectly straight teeth. Some of us get orthodontic work in our teenage years, but many people don’t. And even people who have had orthodontic work done can find themselves needing more work because teeth can gradually shift over time.

While a good alignment affects how you look, it’s much more than a simple cosmetic issue. The dental professionals at Dental Art of South Bay offer this list of five important long-term reasons to align your teeth.

1. Makes dental hygiene easier

Crowded teeth are often a result of a poor alignment. When your teeth are crowded, it can be more difficult to brush and floss properly.

When your teeth are properly aligned, such as by Invisalign® or braces, you will be able to more adequately clean and floss between your teeth. Proper dental hygiene is essential to preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Helps you avoid or relieve TMJ problems 

Poorly aligned teeth often put a lot of pressure on your jaws and facial muscles. Over time, this repeated pressure can lead to problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint connects your skull and the bottom parts of your jaw. This ball-and-socket joint, when functioning properly, should function like a hinge.

When people have TMJ disorders, it can cause significant jaw pain. This pain can become especially bothersome while chewing and can cause clicking sounds while you talk. While fixing a TMJ disorder can require additional treatment, getting a good alignment can help as part of the process. 

3. Helps you prevent or resolve tooth pain

Depending on the severity of your alignment problems, the condition can also cause a lot of pain in your teeth. Every time you bite down, pressure is put on your teeth. This repeated action can cause sensitivity and pain in your teeth.

Because of the pressure caused by poorly aligned teeth, you can also be at a greater risk of fracturing a tooth or damaging a filling. You may come in with complaints of general throbbing pain in your mouth, only to discover that it’s actually caused by poor alignment.

4. Decreases your risk of disease

Having properly aligned teeth is more than just an issue of avoiding pain. Poorly aligned teeth can lead to dental problems, including gum disease. And untreated gum disease can contribute to significant health problems down the road, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. 

5. Gives a boost to your self-confidence

Having poorly aligned teeth, even if they’re otherwise healthy and white, can still have a negative impact on your self-confidence. People who feel self-conscious about their smile are more likely to keep their mouth closed in an effort to hide their teeth.

When you smile more and have a reason to show off your teeth, it can automatically make you seem friendlier and more self-confident. You can choose from traditional braces or Invisalign, which is an alignment system that uses clear, removable aligners. Either option can give you a smile you can be proud of.

If you would like to learn how the Invisalign system or traditional braces can align your teeth and give you a great smile, book an appointment over the phone with Dental Art of South Bay today.