The benefits of having straight teeth go much further than you may think. In addition to providing you with the confidence of a gorgeous smile, having a properly aligned mouth will benefit your health in several ways. Here are just a few of the many reasons why straight teeth are crucial to a person’s overall health.
Improved Digestion
What are your teeth for anyways? Chewing! A person with misaligned teeth is potentially hindering their body’s digestion process. When food is not chewed and broken down properly, the body has a more challenging time absorbing nutrients from food. As a result, a person with crooked teeth can suffer from various health problems relating to improper nutrition, even if they eat right.
Relief from Jaw Pain
Another health issue that is often caused by misaligned teeth is jaw pain. Your teeth are held in place by the jaw bone, and misaligned teeth often result in problems in the jaw and surrounding bones. In severe cases, the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull, can become irritated, making it difficult or painful to move your jaw altogether.
Makes Clean Teeth Possible
The alignment of your teeth also allows for cleaner teeth. When teeth are misaligned, they are often not appropriately spaced. This means that some teeth can be crammed together, making it very difficult to give them a proper cleaning, leading to problems such as bad breath, bacterial infections, and gum disease.
Prevents Tooth Grinding
Aside from causes such as stress and anxiety, grinding teeth can also be caused by a misaligned mouth. When teeth do not sit together evenly, they are much more likely to grind against other teeth throughout the day and during sleep. This causes teeth to break down much faster than normal and increases the chances of cracking and chipping.
Hopefully, now you can see the importance of having a nice straight smile and why dental and orthodontic care is important for your overall health. So, let Crossroads Family Dentistry be your step to excellent health!