Benefits of braces for adults: Top reasons to straighten your smile

First things first: Cosmetic and personal benefits

As you can imagine, many people often pursue a straighter smile for cosmetic and other personal reasons. The most popular reasons include:

Enhanced confidence

Unsurprisingly, crooked or imperfect (to you) teeth can lead individuals to feel less sure about their appearance and their self-image. Thankfully, orthodontics –like braces and Invisalign aligners– can straighten your smile and make your confidence soar!

Clearer speech

Did you know that smile straightening can improve your speech, too? Misaligned teeth can be a factor in speech impediments. Orthodontic treatment can help some people speak more clearly.

Make a better “first impression”

Some people find that smile straightening helps them stand out from a social and/or career perspective. Whether it's a big interview or a first date, it never hurts to put your best smile forward!

Feel better about smiling

Do misaligned teeth make you feel self-conscious? It may sound simple, but when you straighten your smile, you’re more inclined to smile big and bright!

Read our complete guide to braces for adults

Straighter teeth - health benefits

In addition to cosmetic benefits, a straighter smile can mean BIG health benefits. Many people don’t realize how important smile straightening can be for their oral health and their health in general. To discover the many ways it can benefit your whole self, read on or visit one of our convenient locations for a free ortho consult.

Easier to brush and floss effectively

When your teeth are straighter, it is much simpler to effectively brush and floss. And we all know how important these two basic oral health care routines are!

Fewer cavities

Naturally, when you properly brush and floss your teeth, you may experience fewer cavities. And fewer cavities means less fillings and less trips to the dentist.

Improve jaw alignment

Orthodontic treatments like braces and aligners straighten teeth by putting gentle pressure on the teeth, then work to remodel the bone around the teeth. This remodeling often helps improve jaw alignment.

Reduce tooth wear and injury

When your teeth are straighter and your jaw is more properly aligned, your teeth are exposed to less wear and less injury (like chipping, cracking, and other unsavory things).

Prevent bone erosion

When your teeth are more appropriately aligned, the force of your bite is more evenly distributed, preventing excessive pressure on any single tooth. As a result, bone erosion is often less likely.

Banish bad breath

When teeth are aligned (AKA straighter), you are more likely to clean your whole mouth better. This means less likelihood of bacterial growth and plaque build-up. The result? Less bad breath!

Minimize gum disease

Properly aligned teeth can help maintain healthier gums. And when your gums are healthier, gum disease is much less likely.

Can reduce teeth grinding

Misaligned teeth (malocclusion) can cause teeth grinding (bruxism) which puts pressure on teeth and bones. A straighter smile can reduce the chance of grinding and protect bone.

Improved digestion

A well-aligned bite (and straighter teeth) can help promote more thorough chewing and better saliva production, both critical to good digestion.

Better breathing

You might not realize it, but crooked teeth and a misaligned jaw can cause breathing problems. A straighter smile can improve things like your airway alignment, your nasal breathing, and more!

Improved oral health

From fewer cavities to less tooth wear to better digestion, straightening your teeth can offer a range of incredible benefits to your oral health and whole health. Ready to see which orthodontic treatment might be right for you?