Statistics show that only 35% of Americans are born with straight teeth. And while achieving a perfect smile is the number one reason why people go to an orthodontist, orthodontic treatment can also help you preserve the health of your teeth for longer.
Genes play a part. People who have lovely, straight, well-shaped teeth often have parents with lovely, straight, well-shaped teeth, funnily enough. Teeth, like other parts of your body, can be a combination of your genes. And, like other genetic body things, they don't have to be directly from your parents, either.
You don't have to! Believe it or not, only 35 percent of adults have perfect teeth. In fact, most people have malocclusion (also known as “poor bite”) to some extent. This condition can manifest as a cross bite, under bite, open bite, or overbite.
Crooked or misaligned teeth can be unattractive and greatly affect the daily lives of both adults and children. It is not just an aesthetic issue, as people with crooked teeth are also at risk of long-term health issues.
Square-shaped maxillary incisors were perceived as the least attractive overall (43.3 per cent) and by the dentists (47 per cent), technicians (50 per cent) and patients (33 per cent).
Some people are lucky enough to be born with naturally straight teeth and some people require orthodontic devices such as braces to have straight teeth. Either or, having straight teeth can be a huge boost to your self-confidence.
Straight teeth are more attractive:
When attracting a possible mate on a dating site, people with straight teeth are 57% more likely than those with crooked teeth to get a date based on their picture alone.
Dental professionals consider a square-shaped jaw one of the most attractive because it shows that someone has a strong jawline and thin lips. On the other side of that spectrum is a round-shaped jaw with protruding teeth that can make a person look like they have an overbite or underbite.
A study in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics discovered that people with straight teeth and ideal smiles were viewed as more intelligent and more likely to be hired for a job. Subjects in another study rated people with straight teeth as happier, more successful, smarter, and wealthier.
Anodontia or Hypodontia
Anodontia is a rare, genetic tooth disorder in which some or all teeth never form. Although it can affect baby teeth, it is more common with permanent teeth. If a patient has complete anodontia, none of their adult teeth form.
The data indicates Denmark has the best oral health of all the countries in the entire world. If you are looking for the country with the best teeth and oral hygiene, then we gladly announce that your search could end in Denmark.
Teeth Around the World: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
With a DMFT (decayed, missing, or filled teeth) index score of 0.4, Danish citizens have pretty perfect teeth. Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the UK all have scores below 1.0, making them the five countries with the healthiest teeth.
Straight teeth keep your teeth healthy and your gums protected against bacteria, which could help you to prevent life-threatening medical issues. A study by the University of Helsinki from 2016 showed that there's a direct connection between infections of the root tip of a tooth and coronary artery disease.
Fewer Breaks, Chips or Cracks
You're also more susceptible to biting your cheeks and tongue more often, which can cause painful sores. Straight teeth offer your teeth greater protection against cracks, chips, breaks, and sores.
Some of the most common causes are: An uneven gums: There are cases where one side of your gum line can drop down lower than the other side, giving the impression of asymmetry. Misaligned teeth: If your teeth are crooked, tipped, or rotated, your smile can appear jagged and uneven.
You may not have realized this, but teeth are not meant to touch. It sounds odd, but think about it. They don't touch while you speak, smile or rest. Even when you chew, your teeth only have to be close enough to mash food, not necessarily touch.
A study has confirmed what we already know – that a white and evenly spaced set of teeth makes people seem more attractive. But it has also explained the reason. It is because teeth are the human equivalent of a peacock's tail – a sign of health and genetic quality designed to help choose a mate.
It turns out that there's a magic number of upper teeth to have on show for an appealing and youthful smile and that's at least eight, says dentist Dr Rhona Eskander, who is increasingly helping her clients achieve that coveted wider smile.
These perceptions extend to your dating life. A survey by a popular dating site discovered that 58% of men and 71% of women evaluate a potential date's pearly whites. The Kelton Global research also discovered that individuals with straight teeth are 57% likelier to get a first date.
Your central incisors should meet in a straight line, experts say. The teeth should mirror one another from that central point. No harsh angles. Teeth should not jut out or push through the lips.
Although crooked teeth are considered to make a smile more attractive, it is a malposition that causes malocclusion and can cause several problems. Problems that can arise from malocclusion include: Disruption of the chewing process.
So, how do the vast majority of celebs, from Matt Damon to Emma Watson, achieve such perfect teeth? One word: veneers. Cosmetic dentistry (veneers and no-prep veneers in particular) is the only sure-fire way to get a Hollywood-level smile.
Blame Mom and Dad
All of those factors are strongly influenced by genetics — so if you have your mom's lips, that may also mean you have your mom's teeth.
Nine in 10 people have teeth that are at least slightly misaligned, or maloccluded, and three quarters of us have wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to emerge properly. Simply put, our teeth do not fit in our jaws.