Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth: Why Alignment Matters

Fixing misaligned teeth isn’t only an aesthetic win. Correcting crooked teeth also promotes healthy teeth and gums.

At her practice in Austin, TX, Dr. AnnMarie Olson has corrected a wide range of orthodontic problems with Invisalign® aligners. She explains why this benefits her patients beyond their beautiful new smiles.

Minimizes the risk of cavities and gum disease

When your teeth are crooked, overcrowded, or even spaced too far apart, you’re at greater risk for periodontitis (gum disease). Your gums are meant to fit snugly around your teeth to keep food and bacteria from building up underneath. But when your teeth are crooked, crowded, or gappy, your gums don’t always hug your teeth the way they should, and problems quickly develop under the gum line.

Properly aligned teeth are easier to brush and floss. Brushing and flossing thoroughly are two of the most significant steps you can take in reducing your risk of developing periodontal disease and cavities.

Less likely to have jaw alignment issues

Crooked teeth can also impact the way you bite and chew. If your teeth are not aligned properly, they put undue pressure on your jaw muscles and joints, leading to headaches and facial pain. Crooked teeth can also cause excessive wear and tear on the teeth, gums, and jaw muscles, resulting in cracked teeth, jaw strain.

Invisalign® to the rescue

The road to straight teeth has never been easier, thanks to the revolutionary Invisalign clear aligner system. When you select the Invisalign system, you can get straight and perfectly aligned teeth minus the discomfort and hassle of traditional metal braces. Nor will you have dietary restrictions or be unable to brush and floss properly. Instead, this barely noticeable system of removable trays gently shifts your teeth into their ideal position, making them the most convenient and comfortable orthodontic solution.

Invisalign aligners are clear, flexible plastic made from patented SmartTrack® technology. They are customed designed to shift your teeth into the ideal position. This material fits snugly over your teeth and contains no gluten, latex, BPS, or BPA, and they’re practically invisible.

The Invisalign system can correct many orthodontic issues, including:

• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Crowding
• Gaps
• Crooked or twisted teeth

Once you start wearing your Invisalign aligners, you may begin to see initial changes within weeks, and some people can finish the entire treatment process in as little as six months. However, the total time depends on the complexity of your case.

To learn more about Invisalign, call the office of AnnMarie Olson DDS, or use the online tool to request an appointment.