Making sure your teeth are properly aligned helps keep them healthy and helps prevent future problems. For one, straight teeth are easier to clean and therefore less prone to decay and gum disease. That means you're less likely to need expensive procedures like root canals, implants or gum surgery in the future.

Are teeth supposed to be perfectly aligned?

FROM THE FRONT: your upper front teeth should fall in front of your lower teeth (toward your lip), and should overlap them by about 2 mm. Upper and lower front teeth should hit lightly. FROM THE TOP (OR BOTTOM): The back teeth should be upright, NOT tipped toward the cheek or tongue.

What happens if you don't align your teeth?

If your teeth don't align properly, it puts extra pressure on adjacent teeth, causing them to wear faster. Correct teeth alignment also helps you speak properly. When upper and lower front teeth don't align properly, speech problems can occur.