The Surprising Health Benefits of Straightening Your Teeth with Invisalign®

Having straight teeth and a beautifully aligned smile can do more than give you a boost of confidence. We’re talking about easier teeth cleaning, fewer headaches, happier gums, and even a healthier heart. Below is a breakdown of why a straighter smile isn’t just cosmetic — it’s connected to your overall health in ways you may not have suspected.

Schedule a family dental appointment with the specialists at SuperTooth™, with offices in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Germantown, Maryland, to learn more about Invisalign®.

Invisalign 101

Invisalign is an alternative to braces that’s easy, convenient, comfortable, and discreet. It uses custom-fitted, clear, and smooth aligners to shift your teeth into an ideal alignment, straightening them to perfect a beautiful smile. 

Simply wear each set of aligners over your natural teeth for a week or two as directed, before switching to the next set of aligners in the series. Take the aligners out to eat and brush your teeth. Invisalign treatment might last about 6-18 months. 

6 fascinating health benefits of Invisalign-straightened teeth

Using Invisalign to perfect the alignment of your teeth offers an array of surprising health perks, including:

1. Reduced risk of gum disease

Straighter teeth are easier to clean and floss, making it simpler to eliminate excess tartar, plaque, and gum disease-causing mouth bacteria. Plaque buildup increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and inflammation. Invisalign can help!

1. Healthier heart

Researchers found that gum disease is linked to heart disease, which is why maintaining exceptional oral health often contributes to better overall health and well-being. Other ways to nix gum disease include seeing the SuperTooth dental experts at least every six months for routine dental cleanings and exams. 

1. Optimal mental health 

Having a healthier, brighter, and more beautiful smile may enhance your self-esteem, elevating your mental health and well-being. A boost of confidence can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety related to a smile you feel embarrassed about flashing.

1. Diminished jaw pain and headaches

A misaligned bite can contribute to jaw pain, headaches, and tooth damage. Invisalign is a simple way to perfect tooth positioning, optimize your bite, and ease any pain associated with misalignment.

1. Reduced chronic disease risks

A healthier heart isn’t the only perk you’ll reap from enhanced gum health stemming from easier teeth cleaning. 

Research suggests that a healthy mouth free from gum disease lessens the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, pregnancy complications in women, neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers. 

1. Enhanced cognition 

Believe it or not, straighter teeth from Invisalign, easier teeth cleaning, and reduced gum disease can affect brain health. Why? Studies suggest that gum disease is linked to cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, anxiety, and dementia — potentially because of immune responses and chronic inflammation. 

Other ways to reduce cavities and gum disease

In addition to having straighter, easier-to-clean teeth, take advantage of several other strategies to lessen your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Examples include:

• See your dental team every six months for professional teeth cleanings
• Brush your teeth after meals
• Floss every day
• Eat plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables
• Limit or avoid sugary drinks, sweets, and refined carbohydrates like white bread

Contact SuperTooth at the first sign of a cavity (tooth pain, pitting, or discoloration) or bright red, painful, receding, or bleeding gums — all signs of gum disease. 

Schedule a holistic dental appointment today at SuperTooth to learn more about Invisalign and if it’s right for you. Contact us by phone or book an appointment online.