Have you ever dreamed of having straighter teeth? Maybe you’re self conscious about the appearance of your smile, or you have a hard time brushing and flossing thoroughly because you have crooked teeth. Perhaps you suffer from TMJ pain, and you’ve been told that your misaligned jaw has a lot to do with your bite. Whatever your reason may be, you’re not alone in wanting straight teeth. At Trillium Dental, we offer Invisalign® for patients who want a more attractive smile without having to get braces. Here are just a few of the many benefits of having straight teeth!
HEALTHIER GUMS
The health of your teeth and gums goes hand-in-hand — after all, they are neighbors! If you have crowded or crooked teeth, this creates tight spaces between the teeth that are often hard to reach when you brush and floss your teeth, leading to plaque and tartar buildup. You’ll notice that the gums in these areas become tender and inflamed when you try to reach them, ultimately leading to swollen, bleeding gums. Straightening your teeth via Invisalign or braces is a great way to open up these spaces a bit more, encouraging the gums to heal and reattach to the teeth in a healthier way. The best part? People who have straight teeth are less likely to develop gingivitis and gum disease.
REDUCED TMJ PAIN
Many people who have crooked teeth also suffer from disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Common symptoms of TMJ disorders are jaw pain, a popping or clicking jaw, headaches, soreness in the ears and facial muscles, a grinding noise when you chew, and restricted jaw movement. If you are experiencing any of these TMJ symptoms, straightening your teeth may help. Both Invisalign and traditional braces address alignment issues in the mouth, including overbites, underbites, and cross bites, which have a direct impact on TMJ function.
BETTER OVERALL HEALTH
As previously mentioned, crooked teeth can lead to gum disease, which is a serious health condition that can be life-threatening. This is because the mouth is “vascular,” meaning that it is connected to many other organs in the body via the bloodstream. If your teeth are crooked and you’ve developed gum disease, the bacteria in the infected gums can make its way to your heart and other vital systems if the gums bleed. That being said, straightening your teeth is not only a good way to reduce your risk of developing gum disease, but also serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
IMPROVED CONFIDENCE
The benefits of straight teeth are not all physical — in fact, straighter teeth come with lots of mental and emotional benefits as well. The most obvious of these is enhanced self-esteem, self-image, and overall confidence. Many people with crooked teeth are hesitant to smile around others because they are embarrassed about the appearance of their teeth. This is understandable, as your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. If you have beautiful, straight teeth that you’re proud of, you’ll look and feel more attractive, making you less reluctant to hiding your pearly whites around others.
INCREASED HAPPINESS
With improved self-image, self-esteem, and confidence comes increased happiness overall. When you don’t feel like you have to hide your smile around others, you’ll be able to fully enjoy life’s special moments, such as greeting a friend, laughing at a joke, singing to your favorite song, or just grinning out of pure joy. Studies show that a genuine smile has a huge impact on your mood, releasing “feel good” hormones in your brain and making you feel at ease. Now, multiply that by however many people you’re currently with, because smiles are contagious. Just think about all the joy you’re spreading now that you have beautiful, straight teeth!
BOOK AN INVISALIGN CONSULTATION AT OUR OTTAWA DENTAL CLINIC
Of course, there are many other benefits of straight teeth that we didn’t touch on in this blog, but we’re leaving those for you to experience for yourself! As a family dental clinic in Ottawa, we’re here to help you get the straight smile you’ve always wanted so you can maintain good health, confidence, and happiness in life. Contact Trillium Dental today to find a dental office near you, or book an appointment with us online!