A straight smile is only one of the many benefits of getting braces or Invisalign.

The goal of an attractive straight smile is often what initially prompts patients to go through with orthodontic treatment. Wanting a beautiful smile is reason enough to pursue orthodontic care, but we also love to fill patients in on all of the other health benefits they’ll experience.

Here are 8 ways braces and Invisalign will improve your oral health and your overall health.

1. You’ll be less likely to develop tooth decay.

Braces and Invisalign don’t just straighten your teeth, they also readjust the gaps in between teeth. Crowded and crooked teeth often have very tight spacing, resulting in small nooks and crannies where teeth meet. These spaces make it very easy for food particles and bacteria to become trapped, eventually resulting in cavities forming. Once these tight spaces are eliminated, you’ll be well on your way to a cavity-free smile.

2. You’ll lower your risks of gum disease.

Similar to tooth decay, gum disease is another common oral health issue that develops from trapped food debris and bacteria. As plaque builds upon the surface of your teeth, it can press against your gums, causing irritation and inflammation known as gingivitis. Without treatment, gingivitis can worsen, leading to infection and periodontitis. Although not entirely preventable through orthodontic treatment, gum disease risks are reduced when your teeth are properly aligned.

3. You’ll feel more self-confident.

Self-confidence is a boon to your emotional well-being, and therefore your overall health. When you feel great about your smile, wonderful things happen. You feel empowered. Your mental health improves. You’ll smile more, showing off your smile to others. This, in turn, not only makes you appear warmer and more friendly, but it also ignites happiness inside yourself. Smiling is even linked to lowered risks of developing disease spurred by stress, anxiety, and depression.

4. You’ll have cleaner teeth and fresher breath.

Straight teeth are much easier to keep clean. Proper spacing between teeth allows for more effective flossing—no more snagged floss!—and allows the bristles on your toothbrush to fully reach all of your smile. Not only will you enjoy your twice-daily brushing routine more, but you’ll find all of your hard work pays off with a whiter smile and fresher breath.

5. Your teeth will experience less wear and tear.

Crooked teeth most often lead to a crooked, misaligned bite. A misaligned bite can cause a number of issues, from jaw pain to bruxism. Bruxism (teeth grinding) can occur unconsciously as a reaction to your teeth constantly bumping into one another in an abnormal way. This leads to premature wear and tear, including permanent damage. Once your bite is realigned, your teeth will no longer experience constant friction and pressure.

6. You’ll find relief from painful TMJ symptoms.

Temporomandibular disorder or TMD is very painful, causing discomfort in the TMJ area of the jaw. This pain can radiate to the neck, shoulders, face, and lead to chronic headaches. In many situations, TMJ pain can be permanently relieved or greatly reduced through orthodontic treatment. By realigning your teeth your dentist can fix how your jaw moves.

7. Your breathing will feel easier and snoring will lessen.

Did you know your teeth can affect your breathing? If you find yourself having to open-mouth breathe because of how your teeth touch, straightening your smile can solve the issue. When your jaw is aligned in a comfortable way, you’ll breathe much more easily, as if your airways are more open. Many patients also discover that their snoring lessens, and sometimes even stops altogether. Once you stop snoring, you’ll get a much more restful sleep.

8. You’ll get more nutrition from your diet.

Eating a healthy diet is paramount to your oral health and your overall health, but sometimes teeth can get in the way of how much nutrition you’re really getting. Food needs to be thoroughly chewed in order for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Crooked teeth or a bad bite can make it difficult to chew thoroughly, and even cause you pain. After orthodontic treatment, you’ll find that you’re able to chew much more easily and you’ll also be happy to know your body is going to be able to take full advantage of your healthy diet.

Find out how your lifestyle and confidence can be transformed with orthodontic treatment.

There is nothing the team at Ada Smile Place loves more than helping patients get the smile they’ve always dreamed of having.

If you’ve been considering orthodontic treatment but aren’t sure if it’s the right choice for you, book a consultation to learn more about your smile and how orthodontic care can help. And if you’re already eager to start orthodontic treatment, great! Take the first step forward by calling our office or filling out this online booking form.