Having straight teeth is more than just for vanity. It’s also essential for your overall oral health.

There is more to having straight teeth than just for vanity. Although most people who straighten their misaligned teeth report greater self confidence, the benefits go beyond that. Having perfectly aligned pearly whites actually improves your overall oral health in so many ways!

Your teeth affect much more than your appearance. Your physical health depends upon healthy, correctly positioned teeth. A dental professional at Espire Dental can discuss in detail the importance of straightening your teeth, but here’s a primer on why fixing crooked teeth is essential for your well-being.

Six Reasons to Straighten Your Teeth

If you look in the mirror and see crooked teeth, you are not alone. According to a report in Scientific American, nine out of 10 people have slightly misaligned teeth. And if you’re one of them, you may want to do something about it. Straight teeth correct more than just your smile. You should consider straightening your teeth for these six reasons:

Less Tooth Decay. Widely spaced teeth trap food debris that can lead to decay and hard-to-remove tartar. By moving the teeth closer, there is less chance of food finding a home in the space between your teeth and providing a breeding ground for cavity-promoting bacteria.

Easier Cleaning. When teeth are crooked, overlapping, or too close together, brushing and flossing is more difficult. It’s harder to floss between the teeth to clear away decay-causing bacteria. Flossing between properly aligned teeth is much easier and leads to fewer cavities.

Improved Gum Health. Out-of-place teeth can irritate your gum line because the gums don’t fit smoothly around the tooth. And those inflamed gums may lead to gingivitis and chronic gum disease, which has been linked to serious health conditions like stroke and heart disease.

Fewer Headaches. Believe it or not, crooked teeth may be the root of your frequent headaches. Having misaligned teeth stresses your jawbone, leading to headaches, jaw, and neck pain. When you correct your crooked teeth, you’re also correcting your jaw alignment, so you’ll experience less painful headaches.

Easier Chewing. Biting down on the foods you love can be painful if your teeth are out of position. You may switch to chewing on one side of your mouth, but that can inflame your gums, irritate your jaw, and wear down and possibly crack those overused teeth. And if you don’t chew properly, you could even experience digestive problems. 

Better Speech. Misaligned, protruding teeth can interfere with your speech patterns, making it difficult for you to express yourself. By straightening your teeth, you can speak with confidence, knowing you are clearly understood.

How to Straighten Your Teeth

You don’t have to live with crooked teeth. Today’s orthodontic procedures can easily give you the straight teeth you desire. Long gone are the days when bulky metal braces were your only option. At Espire Dental, we offer several teeth-straightening techniques that are affordable and done with minimal office appointments.

Porcelain Veneers. Porcelain veneers are a quick, economical way to fill gaps between teeth, whiten discolored teeth, or fix crooked teeth. Ultra-thin veneers are custom-fit to your teeth for a natural look.

Same-Day Crowns. Need a crown to replace a damaged tooth, but don’t want the hassle of multiple office visits? Our CEREC machine creates a natural-looking, durable porcelain crown in just one visit!

Invisalign. A relatively new innovation, Invisalign clear aligners straighten teeth faster than traditional braces and are virtually invisible and painless. Espire dentists are trained in creating custom-fitting Invisalign for each patient.

The Time to Straighten Your Teeth is Now

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Mission Valley location today! Our highly trained dentists can discuss every method we offer to straighten your teeth. Don’t live near our Mission Valley, California office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Mission Valley, CA
8989 Rio San Diego Drive
Suite 170
San Diego, CA 92108