Broad arches (or wide smiles) are not only very esthetic but can contribute to better facial balance and better health. Most people prefer the look of wide smiles to narrow ones, but a wide smile also gives more room for the tongue to fit to the roof of the mouth – where it belongs!

When the tongue is to the roof of the mouth, there is a balance between the tongue and cheeks which helps guide teeth into good positions in children and keep teeth in good positions in adults. When there is room for the tongue to be in the roof of the mouth, it isn’t bunched up in the back of the throat – which may contribute to snoring or even obstructive sleep apnea.