People in Orlando who have crooked or misaligned teeth might feel embarrassed in common social settings. Teenagers and young adults with crooked smiles are likely to be shy and introverted in school. Even worse, depression and anxiety might develop in such individuals who are under constant pressure to look perfect from head to toe. Orthodontic treatment provides many social benefits to kids and adults alike who aren’t happy with the appearance of their teeth. After successfully wearing braces or clear aligners, patients in Orlando gain a lot of confidence. Surely, anyone would love to show off his or her beautiful smile to the rest of the world. Having straight teeth and an attractive smile gives a person extra leverage in seeking romantic relationships and friendships.
Talking
Crooked teeth can also create some limitations on speech. In order to properly pronounce certain sounds, a person needs to move the tongue in distinct ways. Crowded teeth physically block movements that ultimately lead to the generation of words. Therefore, a person with a bad bite might hesitate to engage in lengthy conversations in social settings. Even worse, an individual with a malocclusion may be reluctant to carry out presentations in front of classmates or colleagues at school or work. Orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign® has been clinically proven to significantly improve speech.
Eating and Drinking
Teeth that are out of normal positions can make it difficult for a person to properly chew food. Every tooth in the dental arch has a specific function in terms of breaking down edible products. For example, the incisors have evolved to efficiently cut and slice. The canines are naturally efficient at piercing and tearing relatively thick pieces of food. Premolars and molars have a lot of surface area that’s optimized to crush hard items.
A malocclusion can significantly hinder mastication, which is a scientific term that refers to chewing. When food is swallowed in large pieces, it might take longer to digest in the stomach and other parts of the gastrointestinal system. Large gaps between teeth and overbites can also provide some problems with drinking fluids. For example, a drink might leak or spill if the mouth isn’t tightly closed because of anatomical limitations that are exerted by misaligned teeth.
Other Health Benefits
Some types of improper dental bites are known to cause a wide range of health problems. For example, the jaw bones might be under excessive strain due to a severe form of an overbite or underbite. The misalignment of the upper and lower jaw bones can also lead to clicking in the joints. A person might feel headaches from the unnatural range of motion in misaligned jaw bones and teeth.
Treatment Options
If you live in the greater Orlando are and are considering your options regarding orthodontic treatment, schedule a consultation with our orthodontist at Lach Orthodontic Specialists to see how braces, Invisalign® or some other type of treatment could benefit you. Dr. Lach is a top 1% provider for Invisalign® and the number 1 provider in Orlando, FL for Invisalign®. Contact us today to schedule an initial appointment at our office in Lake Nona or Oviedo!