Most of us understand the importance of an attractive smile. But how well do we understand the importance of oral health in the context of overall health?
An attractive smile enhances our appearance and our confidence. It is one of the first things that people notice about us. For better or worse, our smile influences the way other people perceive us. Human beings make inferences about everything from hygiene habits and levels of education to trustworthiness and intelligence-based simply on a person's teeth.
Though it may be completely unfair to judge someone's character or intellect by the appearance of their teeth, it turns out that teeth may be a good indicator of overall health. This mayo clinic article does a terrific job of explaining the connection between oral health and general health.
Connecting the dots
So how does the alignment of teeth factor into the oral and general health equation? Misaligned teeth will impact persons oral and general health in two very significant ways:
- Misaligned teeth are harder to clean, which increases the likelihood of cavities and gum disease. As referenced in the mayo clinic article above, these oral health conditions can lead to a variety of other health conditions beyond the mouth.
- Increasingly, the medical community recognizes the connection between our psychological well-being and our physical health. Inasmuch as misaligned teeth cause social anxiety and decreased self-confidence, they are detrimental to a person's overall health.
The bottom line
Take care of those teeth! If healthy teeth and gums are not reason enough, consider the impact on your overall health.
Well-aligned teeth are easier to keep clean. Additionally, many of our clear aligner patients share that the experience of wearing clear aligners helped them to develop better oral hygiene habits. They got used to cleaning their teeth after eating during their treatment and just decided to continue that habit after treatment concluded.
