Throughout your lifetime, it is estimated that you will spend about 82 days brushing your teeth. That number might astound you, but when you consider that you spend four minutes per day brushing, you realize that the time adds up. And we all know how critical it is to spend the right amount of time brushing those pearly whites as plaque build-up over time can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

But when our teeth are crooked or misaligned, no matter how much effort we put into toothbrushing, sometimes the effort isn’t enough. So what do you do when you have crooked teeth and are at risk of tooth decay? The answer is easy: you seek options to get straighter teeth. This begs the question: should I get Invisalign?

Should I get Invisalign?

Today’s adults can rest assured that there are more options available to them than traditional metal braces. Over 12 million people have benefited from Invisalign in recent years and have reaped the reward of an amazing smile as a result. But the reasons to get Invisalign are for far more than aesthetic reasons. So if you are wondering whether you should get Invisalign, ask yourself the following 6 questions.

1. Are your teeth crowded?
2. Does your bite not come together correctly?
3. Are your teeth so crowded in your mouth that it is difficult to brush and floss correctly?
4. Has your dentist told you that you have a significant amount of decay, despite your best efforts to care for your teeth at home?
5. Are you experiencing jaw pain or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues?
6. Are you experiencing other symptoms related to misalignment?

If your answer to any one or more of these questions was “yes,” then it is quite possible that Invisalign could correct your crooked teeth, helping to get you back on the path to good oral health. To make it easy to determine if you are a candidate for Invisalign, try completing the Invisalign smile assessment.

What are the long-term risks of crooked or misaligned teeth?

When you think of crooked teeth, you probably think about the impact on your smile. And though crooked or misaligned teeth can certainly have negative repercussions for your smile and self-confidence, the truth is that it can have a negative impact on your oral health and quality of life too.

The primary issues related to not-so-straight teeth include the following:

1. Periodontal Disease

Cleaning between crooked teeth can be challenging, to say the least. When dental plaque isn’t effectively removed on a daily basis by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a dentist-recommended mouthwash, it can turn into tooth decay and gum disease. When that gum disease is left untreated, it can turn into a far more serious health condition called periodontitis, which can be damaging to the teeth and bones.

2. Digestion

When you have a malocclusion or crooked teeth, you aren’t able to properly chew your food. Larger particles of food that haven’t been chewed thoroughly can cause problems in the digestive tract, causing gas, bloating, food reactions, headaches, lowered energy levels, and constipation. And when you chew your food properly, it creates digestive enzymes that assist the digestive process.

3. Excess Wear and Tear

Your teeth were designed to do a job. Most importantly, they play a critical role in our nutrition, and in our ability to chew our food. Different teeth in your mouth do different things, such as biting, tearing, crushing, or grinding your food before you swallow it. Your teeth also help you to form sounds and speak clearly. But crooked teeth can cause excess wear and tear on your teeth, gums, and jaw muscles. As a result, you can experience cracked teeth, chronic headaches, jaw pain, and even temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

4. Speech Delays or Difficulties

For children with malocclusion or crooked teeth, it can make it difficult for them to learn how to articulate their words properly. And for adults who experience crooked teeth later in life, it can impact their ability to say words properly, even though it wasn’t a problem in the past. This can make it harder for others to understand what is being said, and can also have a negative impact on self-esteem.

Who is a candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign is often recommended for busy teenagers and adults rather than for children. When kids are in their pre-teen years, their jawbone is more malleable and hasn’t finished developing. Even once all their permanent teeth are in, the jaw still has further developing to do. And though Invisalign is great for moving teeth into the right position, it isn’t able to help with jaw positioning.

So, if you have one or more of the following conditions or needs, then Invisalign might be right for you.

• You have crowded or crooked teeth.
• Your teeth are protruding out from your mouth.
• There are gaps between your teeth.
• Your bite doesn’t come together correctly, resulting in a mild malocclusion (bad bite).
• You have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
• You are in otherwise good oral health.

Now that you understand who Invisalign is for, you are probably wondering how Invisalign works? The Invisalign teeth system works using a set of custom-made clear aligners that are constructed from BPA-free plastics. These clear aligners move your teeth into position by exerting a gentle pressure over time. You will receive new custom aligners every few weeks of your treatment as your teeth start to move into the right position. For many adults, Invisalign treatment can take just six months to one year, making them convenient for those with a busy lifestyle.

See your dentist in Lakeway, Texas, for an Invisalign consultation.

Invisalign braces are a great option for adults who want a discreet way of straightening their teeth. Your Invisalign dentist near Bee Cave, TX, can help. Request an appointment for an orthodontic consultation today and see how easy it can be to get straighter teeth and improve your oral health. And if you are worried about the expense of Invisalign, be sure to check out the value of a dental membership plan offered by our office.

Our dental plans are affordable and provide a variety of services designed to keep your mouth and gums healthy. And you can also enjoy a discount on other dental services, including Invisalign treatment.