When people think about Invisalign, they usually picture its most obvious advantage: creating a straighter smile without traditional metal braces. However, improved appearance is only one potential benefit of orthodontic treatment! Here are 5 benefits of Invisalign that go beyond cosmetic attractiveness.
1. Easier Oral Hygiene
Crowded, overlapping, or crooked teeth can make brushing and flossing certain areas more difficult. When plaque accumulates in hard-to-reach spaces, your risk of tooth decay and gum disease can increase.
Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing you to brush and floss your teeth normally. As your teeth gradually move into better alignment, cleaning between them may also become easier. Good oral hygiene remains important throughout treatment, especially because aligners need to be removed before eating and drinking anything besides water.
2. Improved Bite Function
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about straightening individual teeth. Invisalign can also address certain bite problems, including some cases of overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite.
Correcting an uneven bite may help distribute chewing forces more evenly across your teeth. Depending on the individual situation, improving tooth alignment may also reduce excessive wear on certain teeth.
3. Greater Comfort and Convenience
Traditional braces use brackets and wires that can sometimes irritate the cheeks, lips, or gums. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, smooth plastic aligners instead.
The aligners are also removable, which can make everyday activities more convenient. You can take them out when eating, brush and floss without working around brackets and wires, and put them back in afterward. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to wear your aligners for the amount of time recommended by your dental professional to keep treatment progressing as planned (20-22 daily hours typically).
4. Potentially Better Long-Term Oral Health
Properly aligned teeth can be easier to keep clean, which may support better long-term oral health. Addressing certain bite problems can also help reduce uneven pressure and excessive tooth wear.
Invisalign doesn’t automatically prevent cavities, gum disease, or other dental problems, though. Your daily oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits remain essential. Orthodontic treatment works best as part of a broader approach to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
5. Better Overall Health
You probably don’t associate orthodontic treatment with bodily health, but the truth is that your mouth is the gateway for everything that goes into your body. In general, a healthy mouth equals better overall health.
Poor oral health gives bacteria a way in, a common culprit of infections and other conditions. If Invisalign gives you a straighter smile that’s easier to keep clean, you lessen the risk of harmful bacteria making its way from your mouth to the rest of your body.
That’s not to mention the boost your mental health can receive from smiling with pride!
Improved ability to clean your teeth, bite function, comfort, and convenience are potential benefits that can make Invisalign treatment valuable for reasons beyond appearance.
About the Practice
Smiles in Shelby is all about giving our patients a reason to smile proudly! With Invisalign treatment, you can bypass the cumbersome brackets and wires of braces and enjoy a discreet, convenient solution to your misaligned teeth. If you’re ready to achieve the smile you’ve always wished for, contact us online to book your consultation or call our Shelby Township office at (586) 677-2828.