For starters, that feeling of having a healthy smile does wonders for your confidence—we see it every day when our patients’ lives seem to transform right before our eyes. We never get tired of that! In addition to the mental/emotional health benefits, the American Association of Orthodontists points out “Teeth that are misaligned are harder to clean and can cause abnormal wearing of tooth enamel which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures.” Apart from keeping spinach out of that gorgeous grin of yours, maintaining clean teeth has potential benefits for your overall health as well. In fact, it’s been well documented that people with poor oral and orthodontic health tend to have other health issues as well. From endocarditis (infection of the heart) and other cardiovascular illnesses like atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and stroke to diabetes and even Alzheimer’s disease, keeping tabs on your teeth truly is powerful preventive medicine.