National Align Your Teeth Day Date in the current year: August 11, 2024

Malocclusion (misalignment of teeth) is a very common problem. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, nearly half of people living in developed countries could benefit from orthodontic treatment, although it should be noted that in many cases it is not strictly necessary from the medical point of view.

People have been grappling with the issue of misaligned teeth since ancient times; there is archaeological evidence of primitive orthodontic appliances dating back to 1,000 BC. However, the modern science of orthodontics didn’t start to develop until the mid-19th century. Major contributors in the early development of orthodontic treatments were American dentists Norman William Kingsley and Edward Angle.

Today, there are a variety of orthodontic appliances that can be used to align an individual’s teeth and solve other dental issues, but all of them can be divided into two groups: fixed and removable. Fixed appliances are attached to the teeth for the entire duration of treatment, while removable appliances can be removed during meals or for cleaning. Both types have their pros and cons, and a good orthodontist can help their patients to choose the best options.

Teeth alignment isn’t just about aesthetics and self-esteem, although there is nothing wrong with simply wanting to have an even smile. Misaligned teeth make it harder to maintain proper oral hygiene, interfere with proper chewing, which may result in digestion problems, and may cause speech difficulties. This is why it is important to combat misconceptions about teeth alignment and promote orthodontic treatments.

National Align Your Teeth Day was launched in 2021 by the American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA), an association of North American dentists who’ve embraced clear aligner orthodontic therapy. The date of the holiday was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Dr. David Galler, AACA president, pioneer of Invisalign treatment, and author of several innovations in the clear aligner field.

The main goal of National Align Your Teeth Day is to raise awareness about the need for proper tooth alignment and educate the general public on orthodontic treatments available to them. When people know about all available options and their pros and cons, it is easier for them to make up their mind and book an appointment with an orthodontist.

The best way to celebrate National Align Your Teeth Day is to schedule an appointment with your dentist in order to have your teeth checked out and see whether you need to be referred to an orthodontist. If you’ve been thinking about getting your teeth aligned for quite some time, this is your clue to finally do it! If you already have experience with orthodontic treatment, share it on social media with the hashtags #NationalAlignYourTeethDay and #AlignYourTeethDay to spread awareness.

National Align Your Teeth is not the only holiday dedicated to orthodontics. For example, International Retainer Day is observed on July 19. It was launched by Vivera Retainers, a brand of clear retainers for Invisalign treatment.