A straight, beautiful smile helps more than your self-confidence.

Having straight teeth is something that most people can appreciate. You’ll have a beautiful smile that you won’t hesitate to share with the world. This study even found that straight teeth can improve your professional success.However, a beautiful smile is just one of the benefits of straight teeth. Take a look at these 5 advantages of straight teeth that you might not have considered:

1. They make your teeth easier to clean.

Addressing crooked teeth does more than just improve the look of your smile. It also provides a variety of oral health benefits, a notable one being that straight teeth are easier to clean, which helps you achieve better oral hygiene.Orthodontic treatments like Invisalign straighten your teeth and provide a more even smile. This means that there are no more irregular gaps between teeth. When your teeth are too close together or rotated, brushing can be difficult.With straight teeth, however, you can ensure complete coverage while brushing. This keeps bits of food and bacteria off your teeth. You’ll be less susceptible to cavities as well as other severe issues, such as infection and tooth loss.

2. They keep your gums healthy.

Crowded teeth are just as serious of an issue when it comes to gum health. Flossing every day helps prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar around the base of your teeth. If you can’t floss effectively, you can’t achieve proper oral hygiene.Plaque and tartar buildup below the gumline can lead to gum disease. This buildup causes red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Eventually, pockets form around your teeth as your gums start to recede. This impacts the look of your smile and allows gum disease to accelerate.Orthodontic treatment makes it easier to floss, ultimately eliminating the impact of crowded or crooked teeth. Having straight teeth lets you floss effectively to reduce the risk of gum disease and its potential complications, such as tooth loss.

3. They reduce the risk of chips and cracks.

Tooth decay and gum disease aren’t the only potential complications of crooked teeth. You also face an increased risk of physical damage to your enamel. You could find yourself in need of a dental crown or other treatments for chipped or cracked teeth.When your teeth aren’t correctly aligned, they don’t sit together the right way when you close your mouth. This leads to individual teeth bearing more pressure than they should.Similarly, if the impact from a sports injury or other accident brings your teeth together quickly, that disproportionate force can crack or chip your teeth.The same issue also causes wear over time. Your teeth can move against each other in strange ways when you open and close your mouth, leading to individual spots wearing down faster than others. Wear increases tooth sensitivity and puts you at higher risk of decay in those areas. Straightening your smile reduces this risk of enamel damage.

4. They relieve stress in your jaw.

Have you noticed symptoms such as chronic pain in your jaw, sharp pain when chewing, or frequent headaches? These are all potential signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Crooked teeth and bite issues can put excessive stress on the joints responsible for opening and closing your mouth.This is because crooked teeth can cause your lower jaw to rest in an improper position, causing constant strain on your TMJ. Crowded teeth can also push against each other, which in turn puts additional stress on your jaw.Achieving straight teeth can eliminate that pressure and alleviate your jaw pain and other related symptoms.

5. They lower your overall dental bill.

Having straight teeth is vital to optimal long-term oral health. However, seeking treatment for crooked or crowded teeth today can help you reduce your overall dental treatment costs in the long run.The various oral health issues related to crooked teeth, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ disorder, will require treatment if they progress. You could find yourself in need of restorative treatment or tooth replacement eventually, which can cost more than orthodontic treatment.In dentistry, treating issues as early as possible is always the wisest choice. Achieving straight teeth now can safeguard both your future oral health and your budget.

Enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile.

If you have crooked or misaligned teeth, you can visit Tomasik Family Dental in Bee Cave, Texas, to explore the possibility of Invisalign or other cosmetic dentistry options. As your caring family dental home, we’ll carefully develop your custom treatment plan so that you can enjoy a beautiful smile and all the benefits that come with it. Schedule a consultation today to find out more about your treatment options.