How Straight Teeth Benefit Your Dental Health

Having straight teeth indeed equals a beautiful smile, which gives you confidence when you interact with other people. This is perhaps one of the most significant benefits of orthodontic treatment with invisible braces in Fairfax. Having a smile that you're proud of can be life-changing!

There are, however, other important advantages that straight teeth offer. Here are some things to consider when thinking about straightening your teeth.

Straighter Teeth Improve Dental Health

When teeth are crooked, spaced, or overlap, brushing and flossing becomes a challenge. Food gets trapped between overlapped teeth, and it can be hard to remove even with regular brushing and flossing. If you can't effectively remove plaque and bacteria with your daily brushing and flossing routine, it increases your risk of developing problems like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

Straighter teeth are easier to brush, floss, and keep clean.

Bite Misalignment Impacts Chewing Capabilities and the Health of Your Jaw Joint

Crooked teeth mean a misaligned bite. You may have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, and these conditions impact how you chew. When teeth are not aligned properly, they can't do the specific job of chewing they were designed for, resulting in tooth wear or even fractures.

Bite alignment also affects the health of your jaw joint. A misaligned bite can result in your jaw joint also having to compensate, leading to a painful disorder known as temporomandibular disorder or TMD. This condition can be painful and debilitating for some patients, causing one or more of these problems:

• Jaw locking open or closed
• Painful headaches or migraines
• Popping or clicking upon opening or closing
• Tenderness when chewing
• Chronic neck and shoulder pain
• Tooth clenching or grinding (bruxism)

Correcting your bite helps to protect your teeth and jaw joints.

Learn More About Invisalign in Fairfax, VA

Dr. Cerina Fairfax is a certified Invisalign provider and can straighten your teeth with ease and the utmost discretion. Contact our Fairfax dental office today at (703) 273-1033 to learn more about invisible braces.