A Straight Smile isn’t Only a Beauty Thing
By: Stephen Price DDS | Sunday, July 15th, 2018 | Invisalign
Sunday, July 15th, 2018
There is a lot of conversation going on about the value of an attractive smile. We’re happy to get in on it by helping patients in the Northern Virginia area take advantage of proven treatments like Invisalign. Taking steps to correct misalignment is excellent for the appearance of the smile. More than that, a straighter smile can also mean better health.
The American Dental Association has stated that straight teeth can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Therefore, we cannot look at Invisalign or any other orthodontic treatment as purely cosmetic. Here, we point out how a straight smile can support a healthy body.
- Straight teeth are easier to clean than crooked teeth. As you may know, brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent gum disease and cavities as well as the many secondary problems that may arise from them. When teeth are right next to each other or overlapping, it may be impossible to clean the tiny nooks and crannies in which plaque and bacteria have become concentrated.
- Straight teeth support gum health. With less plaque buildup and fewer places for bacteria to hide, gum health is much easier to maintain. Corrective treatment like Invisalign achieves proper spacing between teeth, which improves the effects of flossing, which decreases the risk of gingivitis and gum disease.
- Straight teeth are less prone to excessive wear and tear. Chewing and biting can cause teeth to wear down somewhat. This natural deterioration can occur much more quickly when teeth do not line up to chew. Alignment across the arch allows for the force of chewing to spread across the entire row of teeth rather than localizing on one or two surfaces.
- Straight teeth are good for the jaw. The brain expects teeth to meet when we bite and chew. If this doesn’t happen naturally, the brain asks the jaw to accommodate through certain movements. This causes stress on the joints and other structures that facilitate movement, which can ultimately lead to pain in the jaw, head, and neck. When we align teeth, we reduce the amount of work the jaw must do to break up food.
Learn more about Invisalign and how it can boost your overall health. Call our Burke office at (703)-935-2879.