Who wouldn’t like to have a beautiful and attractive smile? Sometimes, we look at people smile and crave for one that is as aesthetically pleasing and contagious as theirs. But, issues such as cavities, teeth discoloration, oral infections, malocclusion, etc. deny us that flawless smile.

Speaking of malocclusion, it is perhaps the most prominent issue people face with respect to the aesthetics of a smile. Straight teeth not only enhance one’s facial appearance, but also play a major role in a person’s oral hygiene and health. This is why we, at Bay Area Smiles, give a lot of importance to the alignment of the teeth.

The advantages of having straight teeth

• It is easier to brush and floss straighter teeth. The bristles of the brush can effectively remove microbes that are dwelling between your teeth. This allows you to get rid of plaque and tartar, thereby considerably reducing the chances of developing cavities and gum-diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis
• Having straight teeth ensures equal pressure distribution on all the teeth. If the teeth are crooked or differ in length, some teeth may endure excessive pressure compared to the rest. This may cause them to wear, loosen from their sockets, and in extreme cases, the jawbone near their tooth root may deteriorate.
• Straight teeth reduce the chances of developing TMJ disorder. Having malocclusion for a prolonged period of time could strain the Temporomandibular Joint, which is responsible for connecting the lower jawbone to the skull. If the disorder worsens, it could lead to recurring headaches, pain in the jaws, loosening of teeth from the sockets, neck pain, etc.
• Most important of all, straight and perfectly aligned teeth puts one at a psychological advantage. People with straight teeth feel more confident while conversing with people, or smiling for photographs. It naturally boosts the confidence of a person.

How can you get straighter teeth?

Orthodontics is a special branch of dentistry that solely deals with malocclusion, its diagnosis, and treatment. When you visit our practice for treatment, we would carefully analyze your oral condition, screen your teeth to check for any hidden infections, determine the cause of malocclusion in your case and formulate a customized treatment plan to help you overcome it. Treatment can be in the form of the following:

• Dental braces: Dental braces are the most popular and widely recommended solution to treat malocclusion. Braces consist of metal or ceramic brackets fixed to the teeth and connected to each other with the help of metal wires/bands. The pressure applied on the teeth can be varied by loosening or tightening the bands. They are known to treat some of the most complicated cases of malocclusion and are available in different forms, such as conventional metal braces, clear braces, lingual braces, etc.
• Invisalign/Clear aligners: These type of aligners are made from transparent plastic and are preferred by patients who wouldn’t like their orthodontic treatment to be revealed. Since the aligners are made from clear plastic, they stay in disguise during the treatment period but keep working their magic at moving the teeth to their desired positions.

Call us or schedule an online appointment with our team at Bay Area Smiles to discuss your orthodontic treatment.