We all want a perfect smile and healthy teeth. Having bad teeth and unhealthy gums means more expensive trips to the dentist, more discomfort and potentially something more serious. According to the Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, there is a clear link between oral health and overall body health. Cosmetic dentistry, and specifically Invisalign, could be a potential solution to not only your smile insecurities but also your health. Let’s take a look at the health benefits of Invisalign.
Invisalign is a revolutionary teeth straightening technique that has been around since 1997. Over the years, Invisalign has become one of the most popular ways to get straighter teeth because of its effectiveness and its “invisible” aligners. Now, you might think that cosmetic dentistry only improves appearance; however, Invisalign can actually have a big impact on your overall oral and physical health.
Improved Speech
Anyone who has grown up with a speech disorder will know that having even a mild to moderate speech defect can knock your confidence. Many speech disorders are actually caused by your teeth. Common problems like overcrowding and gaps can mean that you have difficulty pronouncing certain words or even leave you with a stutter.
Invisalign is able to tackle these orthodontic problems head-on. Invisalign aligners can move your teeth into the desired position and leave you with your dream smile and relieve you of certain speech disorders. This can have a significant impact on your confidence and mental well-being.
Improved Oral Health
Taking care of your teeth and gums with good dental hygiene is essential. By simply brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, you are able to not only keep your teeth looking good but also prevent any potential problems like gum disease or tooth decay.
Crooked and overcrowded teeth can be difficult to clean. Traditional braces are also notorious for trapping food particles between them and your teeth. However, with Invisalign, your teeth will not only be straighter and easier to clean, but with the removable aligners, you can easily floss and clean all surfaces of your teeth and gums.
Better Digestive Health
When we look at teeth, we often forget that their main function is to help food digestion by chewing. When teeth are misaligned, crooked or full of gaps, it can impact your ability to chew and have a knock-on effect on your digestion in general.
Improved Sleep
Many people suffer from misaligned teeth or malocclusion, which happens when your upper and lower set of teeth don’t fit together. This issue can become particularly problematic at night when nocturnal grinding can occur. Nocturnal grinding can not only damage your teeth and give you neck and jaw strain, but it can also disrupt your sleep.
Disrupted sleep can lead to a range of physical and psychological problems. Therefore, it is important to find a solution. Invisalign is able to realign your teeth, thus preventing nocturnal grinding, and with any luck, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep.
No More Headaches
Another problem that many people with misaligned teeth experience is when the constant tensing and grinding, known as bruxism of the jaw and neck muscles, lead to tension-related headaches and migraines. Once again, Invisalign can realign your teeth in a treatment that can take as little as three months and put a stop to those dreadful headaches.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a fairly rare condition that affects the movement of the jaw. Although not usually serious, it can cause discomfort, clicking and even bone erosion, which means that you should see a dental professional about it. TMJ can be caused by misalignment of your jaws or overcrowding, which means that Invisalign can help treat it during the realigning process.
Boost Your Self-Confidence
How you feel about yourself is quickly becoming recognised as a major factor in our overall health. Feeling self-conscious about your appearance and disliking how you look can not only affect your mood and zap your confidence but can also impact your relationships and overall health.
Although each and every person is beautiful inside and out, making small changes like working out, getting a haircut or undergoing the Invisalign treatment can make a big difference to your self-esteem and overall health.
We all have insecurities that can hold us back. By starting the Invisalign treatment, you are not only giving yourself the smile you have always wanted, but you are making a positive change that can have significant health benefits. Invisalign can take anywhere between three months to 18 months, depending on how much movement is required, which means that you can expect to see results quickly and look forward to feeling better and enjoying the new you.
Author’s Bio
Dr Gareth Edwards BDS (Hons) MFDS RCPS (Glasg) is an experienced dentist and co-owner of Smile Stories. Dr Edwards has a keen interest in orthodontics and aesthetic dentistry and is a certified Invisalign provider.
