Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth: Why Alignment Matters

You’ve probably heard of cosmetic dentistry but make no mistake: having correctly aligned teeth affects more than how you look. When your teeth are properly aligned, your entire mouth is healthier.

At Hendricks Dental Specialists, our team of highly trained experts can help you enjoy both a beautiful smile and outstanding oral health. No matter your age, correctly aligned teeth can improve your appearance, meaning you have fewer cavities and avoid potential problems with your jaw. 

In this post, we discuss what it means to have properly aligned teeth, as well as what you can do if your teeth aren’t ideally positioned. 

Why some people have crooked teeth

The most common reason people have crooked teeth is simple, and something you can’t control, and that is your DNA. Genetics are responsible for many misalignment issues like overbite, underbite, or crooked teeth. Your upper and lower jaws may be different sizes, or your jaw may be too small to hold all of your teeth. 

Other issues that can lead to crooked teeth include thumb-sucking or using a pacifier beyond age 3 because those things can cause your jaw to change its shape. Losing your teeth early or injuring your jaw at a young age can also cause misalignment. 

The problem with misalignment

Regardless of the underlying cause of crooked or misaligned teeth, the oral health problems it causes remain. Poorly positioned teeth can be difficult to properly care for, putting you at a greater risk of developing cavities, gum disease, or even tooth loss. 

Misalignment can also cause some of your teeth to wear faster or the joints of your jaw to work harder. You’re also more vulnerable to worn enamel and breaking a tooth, and jaw strain, which can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). 

Poor alignment can even affect your ability to speak or chew. Both of those things can impact your self-confidence. 

Getting straight

Straight teeth look great, of course, but as you can see, there are more benefits to having properly aligned teeth. The good news is that there are options when it comes to getting straighter teeth.

Hendricks Dental Specialists offers traditional braces and Invisalign®, and we can help you decide which option is likely to work best for you. 

We can address issues such as: 

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Gaps between your teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth 
• Crossbite
• Open bite

We consider the positioning of your teeth, your lifestyle, your age, and many other factors before making a recommendation about how you can get a beautiful and healthy smile. If you’d like to learn more about your options, schedule an appointment today!