Is your smile in need of a little work? Do you have crooked, gapped or misaligned teeth? Your smile might benefit from a visit to an orthodontist who can put you on a path to a total smile makeover.

An orthodontist can provide you with the means to achieve a straight and beautiful “new” smile. Braces can correct many dental problems, such as crooked teeth. When your teeth are misaligned, they often have bite issues. Teeth that aren’t straight are more difficult to clean thoroughly, resulting in a higher likelihood of food and debris remaining on the teeth and leading to a buildup of plaque and bacteria. This buildup causes tooth decay and disease, and if left untreated, can lead to root canal treatments or tooth extractions. When your orthodontist straightens your teeth, your mouth is more likely to be in good health, and your oral hygiene habits will be easier to perform.

When your teeth are aligned properly, you chew your food more thoroughly, something that greatly improves digestion. Misaligned bites can muddle speech and make eating difficult. A poor bite can lead to headaches or pain in the face, jaw or neck. Making over your smile with braces can prevent or reverse these symptoms.

Straight teeth are also ultimately more durable than crooked teeth. Uneven tooth surfaces can result in an uneven bite, causing damage as the upper and lower teeth come together as you chew or talk. Chips and cracks in the tooth surface can lead to tooth decay and loss.

A smile makeover using braces can result in a beautiful, natural smile that boosts your self-esteem and allows you to put your best self forward in any situation. Talk to your orthodontist to see if a smile makeover using braces is right for you.