People sometimes take the benefits of straight teeth for granted. This guide explains how a straight smile can change your life for the better.

For many people, having straight teeth is an important factor in their life. This may be why, at any one time, about four million people in the US are wearing braces. They choose to do this because they recognize the benefits of having straight teeth.



However, the importance of straight teeth goes beyond just how you look. There is a wide range of ways that simply straightening your smile can make a big difference in your life. Let’s take a look at the benefits of straight teeth and how you can get a straight smile to change your life.

Improved Self-Confidence

As mentioned above, one of the most obvious and notable reasons to straighten teeth is for appearance. Having straight teeth can help someone feel better about themself, which can have a positive impact on their social conduct. 

Many people who don’t have straight teeth feel self-conscious about the way they look. You may not feel as comfortable socializing and communicating with people in different situations. This could hold you back in both your work and social life.

Straight teeth can help you feel more confident in the way you look and feel, and even help you be more successful. In a study, people with straight, white smiles were perceived to be 58% more successful and wealthy than other people.

For younger people, straight teeth could help teens feel less self-conscious. For adults, they can help one look younger. This provides benefits at any age.



Straight teeth can even help the physical act of speaking. Sometimes gaps in the front teeth can cause a whistle when you speak. Closing this gap can help with clearer speech and more confidence when speaking.

Better Oral Health

Crooked teeth can lead to gaps or overlapping where food can build up and turn into plaque or tartar. This can exacerbate tooth decay and gum issues. Meanwhile, straight teeth have fewer of these hiding places and are easier to brush and clean in general.

Crowding and gapping can also make flossing more difficult, causing inflamed gums and gum disease. The enamel of your teeth can wear down much more quickly. Plus, these issues can lead to oral infections if left untreated.



Straight teeth and healthy gums are usually less sensitive to temperature and less likely to be discolored. They are also less susceptible to general wear and tear. Crooked teeth cause uneven distribution of pressure when you bite down. This can lead to premature wear and chipping.

Better Overall Health

A straight smile doesn’t just affect your oral health, it can also lead to better overall health. Alignment issues can lead to tooth grinding, which can cause headaches and facial issues such as TMJ.

If it’s difficult to fully chew your food because chewing is painful, it can cause digestive issues, such as indigestion and frequent gas. Plus, you aren’t able to get as much nutrition out of the food you eat.



Gum disease can even lead to coronary artery disease, respiratory disease, and trouble controlling blood sugar. Bacteria from the mouth can enter your bloodstream through your gums, creating issues in other parts of your body, including blood vessels and your brain.

Save on Future Dental Bills

If tooth issues caused by crooked teeth are left untreated, they can lead to worse problems that may be more expensive and painful to fix later on. Taking care of them through preventative maintenance now can save a lot of trouble in the future.

Straight teeth can also help prevent damage to your teeth if you fall, are in a car accident, or face a sports injury. A normal mouth position lets the chin and lips form a protective barrier around your teeth.



But, if there’s misalignment, teeth may stick out too far. In an accident, this could lead to chips or fractures. Straight teeth also make it easier to find well-fitting mouthguards, further protecting your teeth during activities.

Teeth Straightening Options

During the teeth straightening process, your orthodontist will carefully examine your teeth and create a custom plan to straighten them. There may be a few options to meet your goals and they can help choose the best one for you.

Braces are a traditional method of how to get straight teeth. There are many options, with metal braces being the most well-known.

Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces but have clear or tooth-colored brackets that let them blend into your teeth more. Lingual braces are metal braces that are placed on the inside of your teeth. These may be a good option since no one can see them.

Invisalign is a rapidly growing choice for straightening your teeth. The two biggest benefits of Invisalign are that they are clear and removable. You replace the custom-made aligners every two weeks, but no one else needs to know you are wearing them.

Retainers are most often used after wearing braces to keep the teeth straight. However, they are an inexpensive option that can be used to fix minor issues like a single crooked tooth or gap.



While veneers can’t fix advanced teeth alignment issues, they may be a good option to improve more cosmetic issues. Porcelain and resin veneers can help improve the look of your teeth if you have concerns such as small gaps in your teeth.

Reap the Benefits of Straight Teeth

Straight teeth can impact many parts of your life from your oral health to overall health, and even your work and social life. But if you want to take advantage of the benefits of straight teeth, it’s important to start the process right away.



Request an appointment with The Tabas Center for Advanced Dentistry today.