Braces are one way orthodontists treat a “malocclusion,” which literally means a “bad bite.” A perfect bite is one in which the teeth are straight with just enough space in between, the back molars meet in such a way to permit thorough chewing and the top teeth slightly overlap the bottom teeth. Very few mouths meet this ideal and require correction. Misaligned teeth can be unattractive, physically and emotionally painful and keep a person from being able to bite, chew and speak well. The appearance of teeth may be what prompts people to have their teeth straightened, but orthodontists treat poorly aligned teeth and jaws to improve dental health. A beautiful smile is a nice side effect of orthodontic treatment.