Many people think that the decision to get straighter teeth, whether you’re using traditional braces, Invisalign, or porcelain veneers, is purely a cosmetic one. While it’s true that straight teeth are more attractive, it’s also true that straight teeth offer many other benefits in your life.
With straighter teeth, you’ll enjoy easier oral hygiene, better oral health, potential benefits in overall health, and benefits in personal and professional relationships.
That’s a lot of benefits from one change in your smile. But it’s true!

Straight Teeth Are Easier to Clean

If you have crooked, crowded, or rotated teeth, you’re probably familiar with the experience of getting a seed, piece of nut, or some other bit of food stuck uncomfortably in your teeth. You know how hard it can be to get that out of your teeth.
But that’s just the food that you’re aware of. Soft foods get lodged in those spaces in your teeth, too. You don’t stop to clean this out right away because it doesn’t cause discomfort. And by the time you do brush or floss, the trapped food may have been eroded by saliva. But in the meantime, the trapped food was feeding oral bacteria, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease in the area.
You have to brush and floss more often to keep crooked teeth clean. And when you do, it can be harder to get everything out. It’s a challenge to find brushes that fit in the cramped spaces, and flossing around crooked teeth can be difficult. And even if you work hard at it, you probably find that your hygienist spends a lot of her focus on that area of your mouth, a sure sign that it’s not getting cleaned well on a daily basis.

Better Oral Health

It’s no secret that better hygiene leads to better oral health. Food that gets stuck in our teeth and stays there can feed oral bacteria. The oral bacteria reproduce, forming plaque on teeth and under our gums. The bacteria also secrete acid, which can damage teeth and gums, leading to cavities and gum disease.
How much of a difference can straighter teeth make? A big difference. A recent study showed that people who got their teeth straightened with orthodontics had up to a 45% lower risk of gum disease than those who didn’t have their teeth straightened.

See a Boost in Your Overall Health

When you see a drop in gum disease, you should expect a related improvement in overall health. That’s because gum disease is a chronic infection whose effects go far beyond your mouth.
Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, dementia, autoimmune disease, cancer, and more chronic diseases. When you don’t have gum disease, you’re at a lower risk for these conditions, and it will likely lead to a longer, healthier life.
But that’s not the only way that straight teeth can benefit your health. With straight teeth, you’ll find it’s easier to chew and enjoy a variety of healthy foods, especially fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meat, all of which can help you eat healthier.

Boost Your Personal and Professional Relationships

Your teeth are important for many things. Sure, they bite and chew. But they also help you speak, and, perhaps most important for your relationships, they can make an attractive smile. Straight teeth are considered essential to an attractive smile, and the impact of them on your appearance gives measurable benefits.
Surveys of hiring managers show that someone with straight teeth are 45% more likely to get hired over someone who has similar qualifications but crooked teeth. And people with a more attractive smile are likely to be offered a higher salary, too.
And we see similar benefits for people in their personal relationships. Surveys show that 40% of people won’t go on a second date with someone who has crooked teeth. In part, that’s because of all the characteristics that go along with straight teeth. You’re more likely to be seen as being healthy, popular, trustworthy, and have high self esteem if you have straight teeth.

There Are More Options for Straight Teeth

If you’ve thought about straightening your teeth, but haven’t thought it was worth it, these benefits are probably making you reconsider. But here’s more good news: it’s actually easier than ever to get straight teeth.
In the past, there were limited options for straightening your teeth, but now we have more than ever. That means we have ways to straighten your teeth that are faster, more comfortable, and more discreet than ever. Contact us at (610) 272-0828 and we’ll help you find the best orthodontic solution for you.