Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth: Why Alignment Matters

It’s no mystery that a smile full of white, bright teeth makes a great addition to your appearance. But did you know that straight teeth can also lead to a healthier mouth? Teeth that are misaligned or crooked can influence your overall oral health in many ways, giving you an excellent reason to straighten them.

At Hillsdale Dental Care in San Jose, CA, our dental professionals partner with patients to provide healthy teeth inside and out. We offer a complete menu of services, including Invisalign®, the comfortable and discreet orthodontic system that uses clear aligners. 

The Hillsdale team has used Invisalign to correct a wide array of alignment problems, from overcrowding to gaps between teeth.

Regardless of your age, here’s a look at why alignment matters to your oral health.

Many places to hide

A primary reason straighter teeth are healthier is that they eliminate the places where harmful bacteria can set up shop. When your teeth are correctly aligned, brushing away bacteria-harboring plaque is much easier. Conversely, crooked teeth make it harder to get into all those nooks and crannies where plaque can build up and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. 

Why misalignment matters

If you have a malocclusion, such as an overbite or underbite, your teeth don’t line up as they should, which can interfere with chewing and speaking. Malocclusion can also cause problems in your temporomandibular joints (TMJs), leading to muscle pain and headaches. A misalignment in your bite also can lead to excessive grinding or clenching, especially in your back teeth, which can result in broken cusps and fractures in crowns and fillings.

Wearing down

Crooked teeth are also more prone to uneven wear, which, when compromised, can break down the enamel, leaving them vulnerable to tooth decay. Chipping, cracking, and breaking, is also more likely if you have teeth that protrude. 

Straightening out

Invisalign clear orthodontic aligners can treat a wide range of issues. These include:

• Gaps
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Open bites
• Crowded teeth
• Crossbites
• Protruding teeth

The first step is for Dr. Roge Jacob or Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli to assess whether a patient is a viable candidate for Invisalign. Once that is determined, he or she will take photographs, x-rays, and impressions of the patient’s teeth, from which Invisalign’s lab will create a digital 3-D image. Based on these images, your Hillsdale Dental Care dentist submits a detailed prescription that maps out a step by step treatment plan on how to move your teeth into place.

To learn whether you’re a candidate for Invisalign, contact us to set up a consultation, either by phone at 408-444-8069 or using the online booking tool.