Technological advances in the dentistry industry have made it possible for more people to achieve their dream of a healthy and perfect-looking set of teeth. No longer a privilege for the rich and famous only, innovations within the field of cosmetic dentistry have made services such as teeth cleaning, straightening, whitening, and repair more accessible and affordable for many.
The benefits of a better smile are not only cosmetic, however. Although it is undeniable that a person’s appearance can affect their self-esteem and factors such as a crooked row of teeth or a prominent gum line can affect their confidence, the benefits of cosmetic dentistry extend beyond the perfect smile. This article will look at some of the lesser-known reasons for undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures today.
Improved Nutrition and Digestion
It can be uncomfortable to chew properly if you have crooked or misaligned teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, aligned teeth provide better function when it comes to biting, chewing and speaking. When this is corrected through cosmetic dentistry, it becomes easier to chew and swallow food which assists the digestive system, helping your body to absorb the nutrients it needs from your food.
Missing teeth, in particular molars, which are responsible for chewing, grinding and crushing food can also make digestion and absorption of essential vitamins and nutrients less efficient resulting in a person lacking the nutritional value they need. Dental bridges or implants can replace lost teeth, thereby aiding in digestion and nutrition.
Improved Alignment
Misaligned or crooked teeth can create an uneven distribution of pressure between the two rows of teeth which can cause pain by placing strain on your jaw and the surrounding muscles. As these muscles become fatigued and sore the pain may also spread to the face, neck and head.
Examples of this can be seen in conditions like temporomandibular joint pain (TJP) where the muscles and ligaments around the jaw joints become inflamed or irritated often as a result of a misalignment of teeth. These disorders can also result in persistent headaches as well as clicking sounds in the jaw. Cosmetic dentistry procedures such as braces are a common and effective treatment for correcting misaligned teeth and some of the disorders that can follow.
Less Damage
An improved appearance of your smile will also result in less dental wear and tear as it eliminates excess pressure and stress on certain areas of your mouth and teeth. This will reduce issues such as enamel erosion, as well as infection as crooked or misaligned teeth make it more difficult to clean your teeth properly which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Cosmetic dentistry can also eliminate problems that come from the grinding of the teeth when biting and chewing. An overcrowded or misaligned set of teeth will often rub against each other further reducing the protective enamel which covers the teeth and can also increase sensitivity as well as worn down, fractured or broken teeth. Misalignments that cause protrusion of the teeth are also prone to becoming damaged or dislodged.
As highlighted above, there are a number of reasons to consider cosmetic dentistry which extend beyond improving the appearance of your smile.
