Teeth straightening procedures offer more than a beautiful smile. They’re also important from a dental care perspective. Crooked or misaligned teeth often lead to several issues, as they make it more difficult to clean your teeth effectively. Below, learn how straight teeth can strengthen your oral health. 

3 Ways Teeth Straightening Can Benefit Your Oral Health

1. Prevents Abnormal Wear Patterns

When your bite alignment is abnormal, the teeth will rub together as you chew. This leads to wear patterns and erosion that will impact the appearance of your smile. As the enamel steadily decays, it will increase teeth sensitivity. A straight smile will prevent grinding and wear and tear. 

2. Ensures Gums Are Healthy

Flossing is integral to a healthy smile. But what occurs if you’re unable to floss between teeth due to crowding? In this case, your risk of gum disease is greatly increased. Over time, untreated gum disease will negatively affect your smile and may be linked to serious health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

3. Keeps Tooth Decay at Bay

Similarly, food debris stuck between teeth in hard-to-reach places also increases your risk of tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay will lead to additional procedures, such as caps and dentures. Serious cases will result in tooth loss. If you receive teeth straightening services, your teeth will have the proper room to get rid of stuck particles. 

4. Prevents Bone Loss

Improper alignment can also result in gaps between teeth. These gaps have a direct impact on the underlying jaw bone, as they increase the rate of bone loss that a person experiences. Bone loss is a major issue, as it can cause teeth to loosen or contribute to jaw pain and discomfort. A dentist will be able to provide retainers, braces, and other teeth straightening services to solve this potential long-term issue. 

If you have questions about teeth straightening, it’s time to speak with an orthodontist to weigh your options. In Wayland, NY, Dr. Deborah L. Schafer DDS, MS offers safe and effective treatments to provide patients a healthier, straighter smile. Along with traditional braces, her office also provides Invisalign®, as well as mouthguards to prevent issues caused by teeth grinding. Call (585) 728-3830 to schedule an appointment for you or a loved one today. You can also prepare for your first appointment by visiting their website to access helpful patient forms.