Many people may remember the process of getting their teeth straightened with braces as a child, but have you ever wondered why teeth straightening is such a common practice? Is it a purely cosmetic procedure, or are there medical or health benefits to doing so? Aesthetics can be a huge motivating factor in getting teeth straightened, and indeed it has been the primary factor for many who decided to get braces, but it is not the only one. There are a myriad of oral and general health benefits that come with having straight teeth.
Crooked teeth can put a lot of stress on people’s jaw leading to pain and discomfort. In the worst cases, this can lead to chronic pain and can be a potential cause of headaches and migraines. Straightening a person’s teeth can relieve the stress on their jaw and joints and stop that kind of pain from flaring up in the future. Misaligned teeth also mean a person’s mouth has to work harder to chew up food, which can further increase the stress on their teeth, causing them to wear more quickly.
Straightening teeth also makes it easier for people to keep their mouth and teeth clean and healthy. Crooked teeth can trap food and plaque in awkward, difficult to reach areas, which will damage and wear on your teeth over time, and place people at a higher risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease. Having straightened teeth means that not only is food less likely to get trapped at all, but it will also be easier to brush and floss properly. Anyone who has tried to work some floss between crooked teeth can tell you that it can be irritatingly difficult.
To learn more about teeth straightening and how it might benefit you, please visit us today at www.morristownoralsurgery.com.
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