Straighter teeth can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more confident in social and/or professional settings. As a result, most of us believe that getting braces is only for a cosmetic enhancement of one’s smile.
However, there are numerous oral health benefits for having orthodontically aligned teeth…for kids and adults! In fact, the primary goal of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy oral environment.
Here are 5 ways that braces can actually make your smile healthier:
Limit Tooth Decay
Straighter teeth are easier to properly clean and maintain through proper home care, which includes daily brushing and flossing.
When a tooth is crooked, rotated, etc. food and sugars can be trapped and help decay begin or progress. Clinical studies show that crooked teeth have much more tooth decay than teeth that are straight.
If an area is inaccessible or difficult to clean, acidic biofilm collects between the teeth, resulting in enamel demineralization. Orthodontic alignment ensures that these “inaccessible areas” are minimized as much as possible.
Prevent Flat, Worn, Chipped Teeth
When teeth bite end-to-end or in a way that doesn’t allow for anatomically correct biting patterns, it can actually cause your enamel to wear away.
It’s true that enamel is the hardest material in the entire human body – but even enamel can’t withstand excessive wear against itself. Gradually, the teeth will start to wear down flat, creating sharp edges or even chips in the biting surfaces.
Using braces to properly align the teeth ensures that your teeth have the best chance possible to minimize stress-related problems.
Correct and Prevent TMJ Disorders
If your teeth do not align together properly, then likely neither does your jaw.
Your muscles and teeth will compensate in an effort to chew your teeth effectively throughout the day. Eventually, this can place strain on the actual Temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Symptoms may begin to develop, such as jaw pain, clicking, popping, headaches, and difficulty opening your mouth.
Correcting the alignment of the teeth is one of the foundations of creating healthy TMJ functionality. In fact, it may be all you need to enjoy long-term, headache-free results.
Reduce Your Risk for Gum Disease
Along the same lines as tooth decay, crowded, leaning teeth are predisposed to problems like periodontal disease.
When out of alignment, tooth brushing often misses certain areas, especially along the gum lines. This causes the tissues and supporting bone to detach from the tooth – leading to tooth mobility.
If you’ve battled gum disease, straightening your smile could help you avoid unwanted tooth loss. Even if you use an electric toothbrush and floss once each day, chances are your misaligned teeth are still exhibiting some form of early gum disease.
Improved Systemic Teeth
A healthier smile generally equates to a healthier body.
Crowded teeth that are infected with periodontal disease can greatly increase your overall health risk with problems such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature labor, fertility problems…and list goes on and on.
Orthodontic therapy is part of a comprehensive plan to improve your oral health and reduce the strain that oral disease has on your immune system.
Want a straighter smile? Please call us today to schedule a consultation! You owe it to yourself more than ever to enjoy the benefits that a straighter smile can give you.
Monrovia Family Dentistry is a family dental practice specializing in braces and orthodontics on the southwest side of Indianapolis. We proudly serve cities such as Monrovia, Plainfield, Danville, Martinsville, Mooresville, among others.
