5 Health Benefits of Having Straighter Teeth

Tooth position varies naturally from person to person, and many people have teeth that are crowded, spaced or out of line without it causing them any problem. Where alignment does have practical consequences, they tend to be about cleaning, chewing and how the bite wears rather than about appearance. This article looks at five of those effects, and a dentist can talk you through the options if any of them apply to you.

Easier to Keep Clean

Straight teeth are simply easier to clean, which supports better oral health overall. Where teeth overlap or crowd, plaque and food particles collect in spots a brush and floss struggle to reach, and those areas are where decay and gum inflammation tend to begin. Teeth that sit in a smooth arch give brushing and flossing a fair chance of doing their job.

Less Strain on the Jaw and Face

When teeth meet evenly, chewing forces are spread across the arch rather than concentrated on a few teeth. A bite that is noticeably out of line can load the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles unevenly, which in some people contributes to facial, head or neck discomfort. Improving alignment may reduce that strain, though your dentist will need to assess what is actually driving your symptoms.

Lower Risk of Chips and Fractures

Misaligned teeth can knock against each other in ways they were never meant to, and a tooth taking pressure at an odd angle is more likely to chip, crack or wear prematurely. Repairing that damage usually means a filling, composite bonding or, where the tooth is badly broken, a crown.

Clearer Speech in Some Cases

The teeth, tongue and lips work together to form certain sounds. Marked misalignment — an open bite or a pronounced overjet, for example — can affect how sounds such as “s”, “th” and “f” are produced. Where tooth position is a contributing factor, changing the alignment may help, though speech has many causes and your dentist may refer you to a speech pathologist to assess it properly.

Better Chewing and Digestion

Digestion begins in the mouth. Teeth that meet properly break food down into smaller pieces, which gives the rest of the digestive system less work to do. If chewing is uncomfortable or uneven, people tend to swallow larger pieces or avoid certain foods altogether.

Talking to a Gold Coast Dentist

If your teeth are crowded or out of line, the usual way to move them is with clear aligners, which we provide using Invisalign and Angel Aligners, or with conventional braces. Clear aligners are removable and discreet, but they are not suitable for every case. Cosmetic treatments such as bonding or veneers can disguise minor irregularities without moving teeth at all, and veneers involve the irreversible removal of tooth structure.

Risks of Teeth Straightening and Cosmetic Alternatives

Moving teeth is a clinical procedure with risks, and so are the cosmetic treatments sometimes used instead. Your dentist will explain the ones relevant to your case before treatment begins.

• Clear aligners and braces: discomfort and pressure when trays or wires are changed, temporary changes to speech, and in some cases bonded attachments or interproximal enamel reduction to create space. Results depend on wearing aligners for the hours prescribed — treatment can stall or fail if they are not. Root shortening (resorption), gum recession and decay around appliances are possible. Teeth tend to move back towards their original position afterwards, so retainers are needed long term, and relapse can occur if they are not worn.
• Composite bonding: the resin can chip, stain and wear, and it needs maintenance and eventual replacement. It changes the appearance without moving the tooth.
• Veneers: preparation removes a thin layer of enamel that does not grow back, so the treatment is irreversible. Veneers can cause sensitivity, and can chip, debond or need replacing over time.

Fuller information about these treatments, their risks and the alternatives is set out in our treatment disclaimer and risk overview. Whether any of them is suitable for you can only be determined by a dentist after an examination.

In Summary

Straighter teeth can be easier to clean, kinder to the jaw, less prone to chipping and more comfortable to chew with. Which approach suits you depends on your teeth, your bite and your goals, and that can only be determined by an examination.

Helix Dental is a general dental practice at 2/299 Rio Vista Blvd, Mermaid Waters. Our dentists can assess your alignment as part of a routine dental check-up and explain which options may be appropriate, along with the risks and costs.