When most people think of orthodontic work, they picture a straighter smile and all of the social graces that such a thing brings. And, while it is important to not undermine the advantages that having a straighter smile can bring you, such as better social skills, more confidence and a better sense of wellbeing, other things can be obtained by straightening your teeth.
In your adult years, many physical health benefits can be gained by undertaking orthodontic work, even if it is with an aligner like Invisalign.
What are some of the most overlooked health benefits of wearing Invisalign or other invisible braces Clapham? Read on to find out!
Better digestion
Yes, you read that correctly!
Having misaligned teeth can create havoc with your digestion.
Why? Because teeth that do not mesh together are less likely to be able to bite into and break down food as needed. This means that when the food reaches your stomach, it is less broken down, usually larger than it needs to be and digestion becomes less efficient.
To compensate, your stomach will create excessive amounts of stomach acid, causing acid reflux, heartburn and even nutrition issues.
By straightening your teeth, you are less likely to suffer from any of these problems and will be able to throw out those after dinner antacids!
Better oral health
As your dentist may have told you, having misaligned, spaced or overcrowded teeth can make it harder for you to brush your teeth.
Teeth that are harder to brush are more likely to suffer from plaque accumulation and a whole host of secondary effects such as gum disease and cavities.
Straightening your teeth, even by a few millimetres, can make it much easier to brush, floss and even rinse your teeth with mouthwash, thus improving your overall oral health.
Better physical health
Plaque is bad, not only for your teeth but also for your body.
And, if you have too much plaque in your mouth due to poor brushing, you are more likely to suffer from gum disease which will cause your gums to become more sponge-like. This will allow harmful bacteria access to your bloodstream. As you may have read, plaque in the bloodstream has been linked to a myriad of health issues like cardiovascular disorders, cancers and even a heightened risk of strokes.
By wearing an aligner, you reduce these hidden areas of plaque from being unnoticed and may actually save yourself from a lot of secondary health complications.
Better nutrition
As mentioned earlier, if you have misaligned teeth, you may have difficulties with digestion.
But, if you are fed up with having bite issues or having bits of food stuck in your teeth after meals, you may be avoiding the consumption of healthy foods altogether, such as corn on the cob or apples.
And, while the results won’t be immediate, as your teeth straighten with the use of an aligner, these issues will occur less often and allow you to consume a wider array of foods, thus resulting in better nutrition and improved health!