It is generally accepted that to keep one’s natural teeth for as long in life as possible, you need to have excellent oral hygiene habits. But what is not so widely known is that, in order to maintain good oral hygiene, your teeth need to be in perfect alignment.
Dental diseases such as tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease are a natural consequence of poor oral hygiene habits. The Oral Health Foundation mentions thatgood oral maintenance includes brushing not once but twice a day, flossing, eating a recommended healthy diet and attending routine oral health checks at a qualified dentist.
The key to effective tooth brushing and flossing depends on how straight your teeth are. Orthodontic issues including crooked teeth, dental overcrowding and incorrect bite development all present challenges for both the toothbrush and floss thread.
These unwanted orthodontic conditions create awkward areas in the mouth that make it a challenge for you to manipulate the toothbrush bristles and floss thread to remove trapped bits of food.
As a result of food being left behind in the mouth, the population of bad oral pathogens grows to alarming levels, giving rise to all sorts of dental problems. To help patients with orthodontic issues avoid these undesirable oral health situations, dental professionals rely on effective teeth straightening treatments such as Invisalign Luton. Thus far, the clear aligner system has helped 12 million patients around the world to a straight smile.
Yes, straight teeth help improve oral health but why does this matter so much?
Straight teeth improve overall quality of life
The first link between good oral health and quality of life is a strong and healthy physical body. This relationship works in two ways.
To keep a physical body functioning, you need to feed the body important nutrients. The source of nutrients is quality food and to digest food, you need healthy teeth. Effective digestion and nutrient absorption rely on food being pulverised into minuscule pieces before being swallowed.
Good oral health also protects the body from life-threatening illnesses and diseases. Scientists have found that bad oral bacteria known for causing gum disease are also tied to serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, diabetes complications and inflammatory lung conditions.
The second link relates to mental health and cognitive functioning. Researchers have drawn a strong correlation between tooth loss and a decline in cognitive functioning in older adults. This means that failure to brush and floss will increase the likelihood of unwelcome mental health disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Then there is the impact on social engagement to consider. The loss of willingness to smile due to embarrassment of one’s dental appearance and its disastrous consequence on confidence is punishing on social engagement. Opportunities are lost to make and deepen friendships, making living life in social isolation more of a reality.
Good oral care will help you reduce the likelihood of unwanted dental problems and their adverse impact on ruining your overall well-being and quality of life you live. Any oral health concerns must be addressed as soon as possible at a reputable dental practice.