Most people prefer the look of straight teeth, but did you know that straighter teeth offer more than just cosmetic improvements? Your everyday functions are also much easier, so you’ll have even more reason to smile by the time you finish treatment. Thanks to Invisalign in Mount Pleasant, your teeth will be easier to clean and you’ll avoid other issues that typically accommodate misalignment. It’s just another reason why your dentist is promoting the treatment!
To learn how Invisalign can improve your oral and overall health, keep reading.
Straighter Teeth are Easier to Clean
When your teeth are crooked, it means they’re all growing in different directions. This causes far more crevices and openings to appear, allowing more opportunities for food to get stuck and stay in your mouth. Bacteria love feeding on leftover food and when they do, they release acids that can damage tooth enamel and increase your chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
Not only will straight teeth reduce the amount of food that gets caught but cleaning your teeth will be easier overall. Whether you’re brushing or flossing, navigating around teeth that are all growing in the same direction is a more straightforward process. Therefore, having a straighter smile decreases your chances of tooth decay and gum disease significantly.
A Straighter Smile = A Better Bite
Another issue typically associated with crooked teeth is a poor bite. Also known as malocclusions, an improper bite doesn’t just cause additional stress on your tooth enamel. It also puts you at higher risk of experiencing symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD for short.
Chewing with an improper bite causes disproportional force on your teeth, so by allowing this unnatural friction to continue, you wear down your tooth enamel more quickly than the average person.
Crooked teeth are more likely to cause problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) because this joint takes a majority of the additional pressure caused by tooth misalignment. If you develop TMD, you can expect to feel negative side effects that may interrupt your daily life. These include:
- Headaches
- Jaw, neck, shoulder, and upper back pain
- Jaw popping
- Lock jaw
How Invisalign Makes It Happen
With clear aligners from Invisalign in Mount Pleasant, you can fix mild to moderate issues of misalignment more quickly than traditional orthodontics. These thermoplastic, custom-fitted trays work by applying small amounts of consistent pressure to your teeth over several months. As long as you wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day, you can expect significant results.
According to your dentist, Invisalign also offers many benefits you wouldn’t get with traditional braces. For example, clear aligners are removable, which means you don’t have to change your brushing or eating habits just to get straighter teeth.
Pretty soon, you’ll be reaping the benefits of a more beautiful and healthier smile. Schedule a consultation with your dentist in Mount Pleasant today to learn more!
About the Author
Dr. Virginia L. Gregory earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. She’s also completed extensive education at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies to achieve preferred dentist status. To learn more about her practice or Invisalign, contact her at (843) 884-8884 or visit her website.