Think straight teeth are just a ticket to a gorgeous smile? There’s so much more to it than that! The benefits of orthodontic treatment are powerful and wide-ranging.
In this post, the team at Richard Chan Orthodontics will cover some of the ways having straight teeth and a strong bite can positively impact your life.
1. Enhanced Confidence
As an orthodontist in Bothell, Monroe and Mill Creek, WA and Juneau, AK, there’s nothing Dr. Richard Chan loves more than seeing the confidence his patients gain from treatment. Having a smile you love provides a huge boost in self-esteem that carries over into all areas of your life, including your relationships, academics and career.
2. Easier Chewing and Better Digestion
One of the health benefits of braces and Invisalign® treatment is easier chewing. When designing your new smile, Dr. Chan accounts for your entire chewing system, including your lips, teeth, tongue, jaw, chewing muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJ), With these interrelated structures properly aligned, you can chew all types of food without discomfort or dysfunction. This helps you get the vitamins and minerals you need.
Beyond that, effective chewing is an integral component of the digestive process. According to research, breaking down foods efficiently leads to better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
3. Better Oral Health
Straightening teeth makes them easier to clean. Crowded, crooked teeth and/or gaps between the teeth create nooks and crannies where food debris, plaque and bacteria can hide, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Certain types of malocclusion (improper bite) also put undue pressure on the teeth and gums and cause the enamel to wear down. This too can make you more susceptible to damage, cavities and periodontal disease.
4. Clearer Speech
Misaligned teeth and jaws can contribute to speech difficulties, including lisps, a whistling noise and difficulty producing certain speech sounds. In some cases, orthodontic treatment can improve speech disorders by creating the right conditions for proper airflow and tongue movement. Being able to communicate clearly and confidently is an asset professionally and socially.
5. Fewer Dental Issues for Lifelong Savings
As we said above, straight teeth are easier to clean and aren’t as susceptible to damaging forces. This can mean fewer dental issues across your lifetime, saving you time and money.
6. Improved Overall Health
We’ve already discussed that reducing oral disease is one of the biggest health benefits of straight teeth. This doesn’t just apply to the mouth though. Our oral health is directly connected to our overall health.
The Washington Post recently published a piece on the ways oral health can affect your brain with one being an increased risk of dementia. This is the latest in a number of studies connecting inflammation and bacteria in the mouth with diseases in other areas of the body, including heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Stronger Social Connections
An assured smile can build stronger social connections. Research published in the journal PLOS ONE found that smiles, especially genuine smiles, are important social tokens and play a role in social decision-making and bonding.
8. Excellent First Impressions
In a perfect world, how you look wouldn’t matter. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The appearance of your smile plays a starring role in the first impressions you make.
According to a study in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, people with ideal smiles are considered “more intelligent and have a greater chance of finding a job when compared to persons with non-ideal smiles.”
In a recent poll, 76% of respondents said a person’s smile is the number one physical trait that makes a first impression. Additionally, 68% of Americans believe people who smile are more trustworthy, confident and approachable.
Ready to experience the social and health benefits of straight teeth for yourself?
Now that you know orthodontic treatment is worth it, you might be wondering how to get straight teeth. We can help! Schedule a complimentary consultation at Richard Chan Orthodontics in Mill Creek, Monroe or Bothell, WA or Juneau, AK!
Dr. Chan will develop an accurate diagnosis and provide you with personalized treatment recommendations. Whether you choose braces or Invisalign, the outcome will be a beautiful, functional, healthy smile and all of the perks that come with it.
