Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth: Why Alignment Matters

If you have crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth, you’ve likely considered orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign®. These procedures can help straighten your smile, make it more aesthetically pleasing, and improve your oral health. 

At SolidSMILES Dental in Lewisville, Texas, Hiral Patel, DDS, provides Invisalign treatment to teens and adults.  Here, she explains why teeth alignment matters and discusses its benefits.

How misaligned teeth affect your smile (and health)

Crooked, crowded, and/or misaligned teeth can affect your well-being in several ways, including:

1. Increased risk of poor oral hygiene

Crowded and misaligned teeth make brushing and flossing challenging, even with an electric toothbrush. Poor alignment allows bacteria to build up in hard-to-reach places, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

2. Bite abnormalities

If your upper and lower jaw are misaligned, you’re more likely to have a bite abnormality, such as crossbite, overbite, or underbite. 

These problems make chewing and biting more difficult, increase the risk of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ),  and damage the tooth enamel. The more enamel that wears away, the more likely you will experience problems like tooth sensitivity and decay. 

3. Difficulty sleeping

The muscles at the back of your throat relax during sleep. If your teeth are crowded or overlapping, your bite is off, or your jaw overjets, your airway can narrow and become blocked. If you can’t get enough air during sleep, you may snore or wake up gasping for air — a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

4. Communication challenges

Poorly aligned teeth can make it difficult to speak clearly. For example, you might slur your words, develop a lisp, or have other speech impediments. Speech problems can make you feel self-conscious in your personal and professional communications and can lead to isolation and depression.

The benefits of straight, healthy teeth

Now that you know about the potential risks of poorly aligned teeth, let’s explore the benefits of orthodontic treatment. At SolidSMILES Dental, Dr. Patel regularly prescribes Invisalign. 

During Invisalign treatment, you wear a series of custom plastic aligners for 20-22 hours daily. The aligners fit snugly over your upper and/or lower teeth; you only remove them when brushing, flossing, and eating. They place mild pressure on your teeth and jaw and slowly move them into the proper position over time.

Invisalign treatment straightens your teeth and jaw without surgery. It also provides various benefits, including:

• Clearer speech
• Healthier teeth and gums
• Easier biting and chewing
• Less tooth and jaw pain
• Reduced risk of snoring and sleep apnea
• Confidence

Throughout treatment, you visit Dr. Patel for routine checkups. She completes an oral exam at each visit and provides you with a new pair of Invisalign aligners. Each aligner pair places slightly different pressure on your teeth and jaw, helping straighten your teeth and improve your oral health.

To learn more about the benefits of orthodontic treatment, contact Family Dental Group today for an appointment. Call the Lewisville, Texas, office at (469) 993-0633 or book your visit online.