Straight teeth create a beautiful smile, but did you also know there are benefits to your overall health? Here are five benefits of straight teeth you may not have known.

Better Digestion

When your teeth are crooked, you may not be able to chew your food properly. Poorly chewed food makes the intestines work longer and harder to properly digest whatever you've eaten. This issue can reduce the amount of nutrients you receive from your food, and it can also cause stomach issues.

Improved Speech

Crowded teeth or teeth that protrude where they shouldn't make it difficult to form certain sounds or speak clearly. Straightening your teeth can improve your ability to speak clearly and eloquently.

Healthier Jaw and Gums

Crooked teeth make your teeth and jaw work a lot harder to chew and talk. The harder these parts work, the more strain you're putting on the muscles and tissues in and around your mouth. Over time, this can lead to periodontal disease, as well as temporomandibular disorders.

Money Savings

If you have crooked teeth, you're more likely to need crowns, implants, dentures or any number of treatments to correct the teeth themselves, as well as conditions that arise because of the crooked teeth. While it may seem expensive to pay for aligners or braces, spending that money to correct a problem now will save you a lot of money later.

Reduced Risk of Oral Injury

If you get hit in the mouth or fall, it's more likely that crooked teeth will be broken or will injure your mouth because they aren't aligned in their proper spots. Children and teens who play sports may be especially susceptible because crooked teeth make it difficult to properly wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth.

Schedule a Visit to the Dentist

Are your teeth in need of straightening? Get back to healthy, happy smile by scheduling an appointment today.