Everyone knows that a straighter smile looks nice and can boost your confidence, but did you know that there are health issues that can come from having incorrectly aligned teeth?
Over years of research, misaligned teeth have been linked to higher rates of cancer, heart disease and even issue with embryological development in pregnant women. Yikes!
If you have crooked teeth, you may now be considering orthodontic treatment due to these facts alone. But what are some of the health benefits of gaining a straighter smile using braces or aligners in adulthood? Read on to find out.
Better dental health
It goes without saying that straighter teeth are simpler to clean. For you and your dentist.
When you begin using Invisalign via a supplier Clear Braces Direct in London, you may be surprised at how much easier it is to clean your teeth at home. Easier to clean teeth equates to fewer dental issues like cavities and gum disease, as you will now be able to reach areas that may have been blocked by other teeth or issues with misalignments.
Better overall health
Following on from the previous point, if you have areas in your mouth that are tough to reach when you brush your teeth, you may have an accumulation of plaque.
While that is detrimental to your dental health, studies have also found that it can be damaging to your overall health too.
Plaque on the teeth has been linked to a higher incidence of heart disease, cancer, stroke risk and generally poor health. So, by straightening your teeth and exposing those previously hidden areas of plaque, you can ensure that your general health remains in good condition too.
Fewer headaches
How do misaligned teeth cause headaches?
Well, when you sleep at night, if your teeth are misaligned and do not fit together, you may be prone to grinding your teeth as you sleep, also known as nocturnal bruxism.
When this is prolonged, the muscles in your face, neck and jaw begin to tighten, creating a higher incidence of headaches and even migraines. Yikes!
So, talk to your dentist about how clear aligners and braces may be able to alleviate this issue.
Better sleep
As before, nocturnal grinding doesn’t only cause issues with headaches but can also interrupt your sleep. In severe cases of misalignment, you may even accidentally bite your inner cheeks, waking yourself up mid REM cycle.
As aligners like Invisalign need to be worn at night, you can protect against this with the plastic shielding until your teeth are better aligned.
Better digestion
Correctly aligned teeth are important for the breakdown of food when you eat.
And, should there be an untreated misalignment, you may find that after each meal, you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux. Why? Because larger chunks of food are reaching your stomach, prompting the creation of more acid to break the food down.
So, by realigning your teeth, you can guarantee a better chewing technique and fewer gastrointestinal and digestive issues.