Why Straight Teeth Are Healthier
Straight teeth are healthier because they are less likely to trap food and are easier to clean, which is an important aspect of maintaining optimal dental care in Columbus, Ohio. Crooked teeth tend to trap food more easily, providing a constant food source for harmful bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria thrive on the food particles, multiplying and releasing damaging acids that harm your teeth. While taking breaks between meals limits their food supply, snacking between meals or having food stuck between your teeth provides a long-term food source, allowing bacteria to continue multiplying and producing acid.
Daily oral hygiene is crucial for maintaining the health of your teeth. If your teeth are crooked, it can be more challenging to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas, which can lead to larger colonies of harmful bacteria and an increased risk of cavities. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, providing a safe haven for bacteria to grow and further damage your dental health.
Straight Teeth Lead to Healthier Gums
Cleaning your teeth well doesn’t just promote healthy teeth–it also promotes healthier gums. Oral bacteria are just as damaging to your gums as to your teeth, and deposits of plaque and tartar on your teeth are a great jumping-off point for bacteria to settle under your gums.
When your teeth are straight, it makes it easier for your gums to surround your teeth without experiencing adverse forces. But crooked teeth can put stress on gums, leading to red, inflamed, or receding gums.
Overall Health Improves
Gum disease is not just a disease of the mouth. It can trigger systemic effects that impact your overall health. Heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders can all be worsened or even caused by gum disease. For more information, see our gum disease page.
Protect Teeth from Damage
Teeth work best when they support each other. Tooth enamel is arranged so that most of its strength is focused in the direction that bite force is supposed to come from. Teeth are protected from sideways forces by standing straight together. When teeth are crooked, they are more likely to experience forces they can’t handle. This results in at least tooth wear, and often in more serious chipping or cracking.
If you have any kind of accident, crooked teeth are more likely to be damaged or avulsed (knocked out).
A Straight Smile Helps Personal and Professional Relationships
When you meet someone, they are likely to notice your smile first. And what your smile says about you depends on how straight your teeth are. People with straight teeth are considered not just more attractive than people with crooked teeth–they’re considered smarter, too. People with straight teeth are more likely to be hired than someone with similar qualifications but crooked teeth–and they’ll probably be offered a higher salary.
When it comes to dating, you’re 57% more likely to get a date based on your picture alone if you have straight teeth. And if you have crooked teeth, 38% of people would consider not going on a second date with you just because of your teeth.
For romantic partners, an attractive smile is number one on the most wanted list for both men and women.
Start Getting Your Teeth Straightened
If you are currently unhappy with your crooked teeth, there’s no better time than now to start the process of getting straighter teeth with orthodontics. We offer a wide range of options so you can get the orthodontic treatment that fits your lifestyle, whether that’s Invisalign, Six Month Smiles, traditional braces, or more.
To learn about your orthodontic options in Columbus, Ohio, please call (614) 848-5001 or contact us online today for an appointment with our Columbus, Ohio dentist.
