Most of us rank a beautiful smile up near the top when it comes to identifying attractive features on a person’s face. One critical aspect of having what most would consider to be a beautiful smile is having properly aligned teeth. Nice, straight teeth are at the core of a nice looking smile, and millions of people worldwide go to great lengths to ensure that their teeth, as well as the teeth of their children, are straight and well aligned. But did you realize that having properly aligned teeth provides more benefits than simply the look of a beautiful smile?
Of course, it’s easy for us to see that a smile full of straight and well aligned teeth is more attractive than one in which the teeth are crooked, turned or simply out of alignment. However, what’s less apparent is the fact that improperly aligned teeth can affect many of the daily activities we do, and can also affect our overall well being.
For one, the alignment of our teeth affects how we chew and eat. When teeth are out of alignment, it may make it more difficult for us to properly or easily chew our food so that larger pieces of food that are placed in the mouth can be broken down into smaller and more manageable morsels that can be safely swallowed. If the alignment of our teeth doesn’t allow us to properly chew food so that it is broken down into these manageable pieces, it can cause a potential choking hazard and can make it very difficult for us to get the nourishment we need from the foods we eat.
Improperly aligned teeth can also affect speech and can lead to speech impediments and difficulty in pronunciation. This can lead to a number of social and educational issues which must be addressed over the long term.
Perhaps the most overlooked, but most potentially serious issue with improperly aligned teeth is the effect the misalignment can have on our health. When teeth are improperly aligned, it can further impact the alignment of the jaw, which has a wide range of repercussions on our body. Individuals with misaligned teeth may suffer from TMJ disorder, otherwise known as temporo-mandibular joint disorder, and may also experience headaches, migraines, neck pain and facial pain. Misalignment of teeth can result in not only pain, but dizziness and insomnia.
Despite the many issues that can occur from misaligned teeth, the good news is that properly aligning the teeth is a relatively do-able task. For most, all that is needed is the wearing of traditional metal braces for a period of time or the use of Invisalign clear aligners. Many people bring their children to an orthodontist during the pre-teen or early teen years for an evaluation of what needs to be done to correct any misalignment. Whether an individual has teeth that are crooked or has an overbite, underbite or crossbite, an orthodontist can put together a treatment plan to get teeth moved back to the proper positioning so they are well aligned. Braces are the treatment of choice, although many teens are opting for Invisalign clear braces so they don’t have to go through a couple of years with a mouth full of metal brackets and wires.
Adults that did not have their teeth properly aligned when they were teens are increasingly opting to go through what is seen as a teen rite of passage and are having their teeth aligned as adults. Adults who go this route will sometimes opt to wear traditional metal braces, but are more likely to choose Invisalign clear braces or another brand of clear aligners so that they can go through the realignment process without looking like a teenager.
No matter when teeth are realigned, or how it is done (metal braces vs. Invisalign), it’s important to realize that benefits offered by properly aligned teeth go far beyond the aesthetic look of a nicer and straighter smile.
For more information about the importance of properly aligned teeth or to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist in Queens to discuss tooth alignment options such as metal braces and Invisalign, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
