THE MOST OBVIOUSÂ impact of orthodontic treatment is a straighter, more attractive smile. While it is true that we tend to perceive people with properly aligned teeth as happier and more successful, the benefits arenât just superficial.
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Clearer Speech
Do you remember the lisp you had between losing your two front teeth and the adult ones growing in? Based on that, it shouldnât be much of a surprise that our teeth are a crucial component to our ability to speak and enunciate clearly.
In order to make the right sounds, our lips and tongues have to maneuver around our teeth. When teeth are properly aligned, this is simple, but crooked teeth can result in a lisp, slurring, or difficulty making certain sounds that require tongue-to-tooth contact, such as the ât,â âs,â and âchâ sounds. Orthodontic treatment can solve these problems by moving the teeth into their proper positions.
Healthier Digestion
We donât give our teeth enough credit for the role they play in good digestion. Chewing is a very important part of the process. It doesnât just chop the food into small enough pieces to fit down the esophagus, it mixes the food with saliva, which begins the chemical digestion process.
When we wolf down our food without much chewing â or when we chew with misaligned teeth that donât do the job effectively â it forces our stomachs to work harder than they should. If you already have straight teeth, put them to good use by chewing each mouthful for longer. If you donât, your digestive system will thank you for getting orthodontic treatment.
Better Breathing
Having poorly aligned teeth can make it difficult or even impossible to comfortably close your jaws when you arenât moving them, which can lead to habitual mouth breathing. Mouth breathing has a number of negative effects, including dry mouth, bad breath, snoring, chronic fatigue, and brain fog. The effects are an even bigger problem for kids, sometimes going as far as changing the development of their facial bone structure.
Straight Teeth For A Better Life
Not only do straight teeth make it easier to speak, eat, and breathe properly, theyâre also easier to clean! Maybe youâve been avoiding orthodontic treatment because youâre happy with the way your smile looks, but the many benefits of straight teeth are worth considering.
Straight teeth lead to better oral health and better overall health!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.