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Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

Michael Wahl • Jun 02, 2020

Did you know there are many health benefits to having a straight smile? Straight teeth don’t just look great, they actually help keep you healthier! Let’s take a closer look!

Less Wear on Your Teeth

Teeth that don’t fit well together can wear down over time. As you chew, talk, and sleep your teeth grind against each other, looking for a better fit. As they grind, your teeth wear each other down. Additionally, high-points where teeth touch first are more likely to wear down quickly as they take the full force of your bite in that one spot. When your teeth are properly spaced and fit the way they were intended, it prolongs the life of your smile.

Fewer Headaches

Another side effect of ill-fitting teeth is chronic migraines and headaches. The strong clash of your teeth or the prolonged added jaw tension tightens the muscles in your head, causing discomfort and pain. Often, you may be grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it. Straightening your teeth can help you enjoy life without the overshadowing of chronic head pain.

Easy to Clean

Your teeth are designed to have a little bit of contact with the teeth on either side, but not too much. When your teeth are crooked you end up with gaps in some places, and wedged, too-tight teeth in other places. Food can easily linger in gaps where there is no contact to keep it out. Additionally, food chewed aggressively, especially stringy meat or vegetables, can get stuck in tight spots. This makes it difficult to clean your teeth effectively. A straight smile is easier to clean because the teeth naturally keep out food bits better. When you do get food stuck, the slight but not too tight contacts are easy to floss clean.

Healthier Gums

The natural result of teeth being difficult to clean (see previous point) is that the gums become inflamed and diseased. Bacteria from food and the air gets trapped in spots where you haven’t been able to clean well, growing and damaging the gum tissue.

Better Overall Health

Gum disease, plaque build-up, and inflammation have all been linked to many other diseases throughout the body. There is a strong correlation between gum disease and cardiovascular disease , cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity and asthma. Taking good care of your mouth helps with your overall health. Straight teeth make it easier to care for your mouth well!

 

At West One Family Dental, we offer excellent orthodontic care. If you’re ready to get the straight smile that will help improve your health, we’d love to discuss your treatment options!

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • 01 Sep, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • 25 Aug, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • 18 Aug, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • 11 Aug, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • 28 Jul, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • 21 Jul, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • 14 Jul, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • 07 Jul, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • 01 Jul, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • 23 Jun, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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