Benefits Aligned Teeth

As the saying goes, “You are never fully dressed, without a smile!” But what if you didn’t like the way your smile looked? What if you were self-conscious about smiling because your teeth are not aligned? Unfortunately, this is the reality for millions of people in the United States. Having aligned teeth is vital in many aspects of your life. It can impact your self-esteem, career, health, and relationships. Thankfully, there are solutions that can help you get the smile you have always wanted. However, let’s look at a few of the factors that echo the importance of having aligned teeth.

1) Impact of Aligned Teeth and Self-Esteem

While true beauty lies within a person, self-esteem can be impacted by outer appearance. When you don’t have the confidence to smile, you likely feel sad, embarrassed, awkward, and scared in many social situations. Think about how many times in a given day that you may need to smile to communicate your feelings accurately, or to pose for a picture. If you feel as though you can’t act normally in a public setting, it can really take a toll on your self-image. People with aligned teeth don’t think twice about flashing a smile to put someone else at ease, or to share their happiness in a group of people.

2) The Impact on Your Career

People with aligned teeth that smile are seen as approachable, more reasonable, and therefore are more successful overall. If you don’t smile or laugh because of insecurity with your teeth, your colleagues may mistakenly believe that you are unfriendly or angry. If you are meeting with a new potential client, first impressions count. Unfortunately, having misaligned teeth can negatively impact that initial meeting. We have had many patients feel as though they were passed over for a position or promotion because of their misaligned teeth. However, with their smile straighter, they have the confidence to go after the career goals they have always wanted.

3) The Impact on Your Health

With misaligned teeth, you can experience a myriad of health issues. When chewing, you may be applying pressure to areas of your teeth in an uneven manner. This can lead to tooth pain, jaw pain, gum damage, and more. Patients have reported migraine headaches caused by misaligned teeth. Sometimes misaligned teeth can prevent you from brushing and flossing certain areas of your mouth, making you more prone to cavities and gum disease. However, once your teeth are aligned, these symptoms will disappear.

4) The Impact on Your Relationships

Dating is hard enough but try dating without feeling comfortable with your teeth. Having misaligned or crooked teeth can impact your romantic relationships. People often mistakenly believe that those with crooked teeth lack hygiene, or pride in their appearance. The lack of confidence may also be a turn-off for many people. Many studies have shown that people are naturally more attracted to a smile. If you are unable or self-conscious about your smile, the impact on your potential relationships could be huge.

How to Get Aligned Teeth

Ok, so you have decided that enough is enough and you are ready to straighten your misaligned teeth. How should you proceed? Many options on the market can help you achieve your smile goals. From traditional metal braces and retainers to invisible braces like Invisalign that straighten teeth in just over a year, your orthodontist can offer you many different types. However, the first step is to make an appointment with your orthodontist. They can evaluate your medical history, where your smile is currently, diagnose any dental conditions, and see what options you are a candidate for.

How Much Will It Cost?

The cost to achieve a straight smile can be within your reach. In fact, many orthodontist offices offer financing that can make it incredibly affordable. It is a common misconception that braces break the bank. When you go in for your evaluation, discuss payment options with your orthodontist. They should have a few different monthly payment plans, care credit, or other means to help you achieve aligned perfection.

How Long Will It Take to Get Aligned Teeth?

This is a tricky question, as it depends on the method that you use to align your teeth and the condition of your teeth currently. For traditional metal braces, the length of time it takes to straighten teeth properly can be anywhere from one-year to two-years or more. The duration of invisible braces is often shorter, just a year to eighteen months. Our orthodontist, Dr. Rick Ballard, would be able to give you a much more accurate picture of how long it will take you to get aligned teeth.

Now you know the importance of having aligned teeth, are you ready to make the jump? Contact Ballard Orthodontics and schedule your evaluation to get started!