The Lifetime Benefits of Straight Teeth

Straight teeth can have a big impact on your life, both physiologically and psychologically. While having orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign® clear aligners is often thought of as purely aesthetic, many health benefits go hand-in-hand with having straight teeth. Modern science has proven that past generations, who did not have the availability of orthodontics, experienced numerous diseases associated with bad oral health due to crooked teeth. Choosing to straighten your teeth with Invisalign® aligners can be beneficial to your overall health with results that last a lifetime.

Dr. Greg Greenberg is a Premier Provider for Invisalign® clear dental aligners, which are removable braces made of smooth, comfortable, clear plastic. The treatment process involves using computerized models of patient’s teeth to develop molds for individual aligners that stage the current and desired teeth positions.

Abnormal Stress Caused by Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can cause your bite to create abnormal stress within your mouth when you chew. Over time, this stress can place added wear and tear on your teeth, as well as your jaws. You may experience pain in your jaw joint or difficulty chewing. Straightening your teeth with Invisalign® can:

Help to maintain proper oral function as it relates to chewing, speaking, and even breathing
Decrease the risk of broken or chipped teeth due to grinding, improper chewing, or injury to protruding teeth
Decrease premature tooth wear
Correct improper jaw alignment
Prevent loss of bone and gum tissue
Reduce abnormal stress on jaw joints and chewing muscles

Straight Teeth Reduce Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Misaligned teeth are at greater risk of developing tooth decay due to plaque and tartar. This is not due to poor dental hygiene habits, but rather the inability to properly clean hard-to-reach places that exist when teeth are crooked or crowded. Gum disease is more common with crooked teeth than straight teeth. When teeth are poorly aligned, your gums may not fit around them in the most optimal way, which can cause red, swollen gums and possibly gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease.

In addition, flossing can be harder when your teeth are misaligned. Patients who have difficulty flossing tend to avoid it and are at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Studies have proven that people who floss daily typically live seven years longer than those who don’t floss.

A 2009 study published by the American Journal of Cardiology found that patients with gum disease are 24-35% more likely to develop coronary artery disease. Straightening your teeth can not only keep your gums healthy, but help you avoid heart disease in the process.

Psychological Benefits of Straight Teeth

Straight teeth lead to beautiful, healthy smiles! The short-term investment of an orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign®, comes with long-term benefits. Invisalign® produces a more even, attractive smile which not only enhances your appearance but often results in raised confidence levels and improved attitude.

Patients of all ages are experiencing higher self-esteem through Invisalign® treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) reports a 33.5% increase in adult orthodontic patients (over 1.1 million each year). With nearly half of orthodontic patients being adults, the demand for less noticeable dental appliances has risen. Treatment with Invisalign® clear aligners results in straight teeth without the look of traditional braces and is often preferred by adults and older children.

In a Match.com survey of over 5,000 single adults, ages 21 and older, 71% of women and almost 60% of men ranked straight teeth as the most important feature in a potential date. In a study conducted for Invisalign®, Kelton Research surveyed over 1,000 people regarding their perceptions of people with straight teeth vs. those with crooked teeth. Study results indicated that respondents perceived those with straight teeth to have more desirable qualities, such as happy, successful, healthy, and intelligent, than those with misaligned teeth.

Other findings concerning straight teeth included:

29% of respondents said teeth were the first aspect of the face they noticed.
24% reported teeth as the facial feature most remembered.
Those with straight teeth were thought to be 45% more likely to get a job over someone with the same skill set and crooked teeth.
Subjects with straight teeth were 58% more likely to be perceived as successful and wealthy.
38% of respondents would consider not having a second date with someone with crooked teeth.
73% were more likely to trust someone who has a nice smile over someone with a good job, car, or clothing.
87% agreed that they would sacrifice something for a year in order to have a nice, straight smile.

One of the most noticeable physical attributes is a nice smile full of straight teeth. How others perceive you often hinges on your teeth. Invisalign® allows you to achieve straight teeth without being intrusive on your lifestyle and without being noticed by others. Improvements in smile appearance are linked to:

Higher self-esteem
Improved self-image
Better performance in school and work
Increase in expected income and job opportunities
Improved perception by others

With Invisalign®, we offer you a cutting edge, cosmetically friendly option for straightening your teeth that will not only change your smile but will change your life. Dr. Greg Greenberg has received specialized training from Align Technologies and is pleased to offer Invisalign® Removable Braces to his patients.

Our goal at the RxSmile Frisco orthodontics office with Dr. Greg Greenberg is to provide highly personalized and comprehensive orthodontic care for our families in the Frisco-Plano metropolitan area. If you have questions about braces and would like to make an appointment with our orthodontist, Dr. Greg Greenberg, please call 972 335 1300 Monday through Thursday, or submit an online appointment request and we will respond within one business day.