For many patients, straight teeth mean a beautiful smile. But did you know that properly aligned teeth are also healthier? Crowded teeth create a daily cleaning challenge. Misalignment of the teeth can also trigger clenching and grinding habits, leading to headaches and jaw pain. Our primary motivation in straightening teeth is to create a stable bite, thereby providing comfort to our patients, while preserving teeth for the long term.

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Reason 1: Hygiene

Food and bacterial plaque accumulate slowly in the tiny spaces that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach. The acidic toxins that seep out of the plaque can lead to cavities and inflamed, diseased gums. The proper alignment of even just a few rotated teeth can leave you with a healthier mouth. Straight teeth are less likely to decay, stain, and wear in unusual ways. It allows you to keep all of your teeth cleaner, leaving your gums healthier too, making you are less likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease.

Reason 2: Jaw Pain

Poorly aligned teeth can cause less poor force distribution between the upper and lower teeth.  This can lead to unintentional clenching and grinding habits. In some cases, it results in a painful condition known as TMJ Disorder. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull. The joint can be found on both sides of your head in front of your ears. It allows your jaw to open and close, enabling you to speak and eat. Symptoms of TMJ disorder (a.k.a. TMD) can include:

  • pain that can be felt in the face or neck

  • stiffness in the muscles of the jaw

  • limited movement of the jaw

  • locking of the jaw

  • clicking or popping sound from the TMJ site

  • shift in the jaw, changing the way that the upper and lower teeth align (also called malocclusion)

If left untreated, TMJ disorders can cause chronic jaw pain.

Often, moving teeth to their “proper” position with respect to their counterparts in the opposite jaw, minimizes the clenching and grinding habits.  The outcome of well-aligned teeth is often less TMD symptoms; i.e. more comfortable jaws and facial muscles.

Reason 3: Prevention

When your bite is misaligned, you may experience abnormal wear on some of your teeth. Because tooth enamel is one substance the body doesn’t regenerate, we need to take care of our teeth. Once tooth wear happens, it is irreversible. As enamel erodes, the teeth  become more sensitive and  susceptible to decay. The earlier one’s alignment is corrected, the earlier the excessive wear and loss of tooth structure will end.

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As you can see, straightening teeth can be about so much more than just aesthetics.

Dr Withanachchi has been providing clear orthodontic treatment (Invisalign) for his patients for over ten years, with incredible results. If you’re experiencing crowding, spacing, or any symptoms of TMD, please book a free consultation with our team. We’ll walk you through the process and determine if tooth alignment is right for you.

Yours in better dental health,

Tooth Works

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