speech improvement Archives - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

A great smile is reason enough to show off straight teeth. But the advantages of proper tooth alignment go far beyond appearance. When your teeth are positioned correctly, you gain a host of health and functional benefits:

Healthier Gums
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean. Crooked teeth often create hard-to-brush areas that trap food, increasing the risk of plaque, gum disease, and cavities. Aligning your teeth allows your tongue to help with self-cleansing throughout the day and lets toothbrush bristles reach all surfaces more effectively.
Clearer Speech
Gaps or incorrect bite relationships can interfere with speech, leading to a lisp or other articulation issues (such as with an “open bite”). Bringing teeth into the right position often corrects these problems, making speech clearer and more confident.
Better Jaw and Joint Health
Correct tooth positioning (known as Class 1 occlusion) allows jaw muscles and joints to function harmoniously. When teeth don’t meet properly, certain muscles and joints can be overloaded—potentially causing jaw pain or joint damage.
Even Tooth Wear
A poorly aligned bite can cause certain teeth to wear down faster or crack because they’re bearing more chewing force than they should. Straightening teeth helps distribute biting forces evenly across all teeth, reducing the risk of fractures and premature wear.
Teeth for Life
Balanced, straight teeth facilitate better oral hygiene, prevent excessive wear, and protect jaw joints. This means your teeth are more likely to stay healthy and last a lifetime.