Article at a Glance
- Many people choose braces to improve the appearance of their smiles, but braces offer several other benefits.
- Straight teeth are easier to care for and less susceptible to oral issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
- Choosing to straighten your teeth with braces can improve your speech, digestion, and overall health.
For many people, braces are the solution for an improved smile. Certainly, straighter teeth can boost your self-esteem, but did you know that there are a lot of other benefits? Orthodontic treatment has a lot more to offer you than a prettier smile.
Benefits of Straight Teeth
Braces do more than improve the aesthetics of your smile. Orthodontic treatment has several benefits and can impact your overall health. Even if you don’t mind the imperfections in your smile, there could be a very good reason to get braces and straighten your teeth.
Cleaning is Easier
When your teeth are too crowded, it can be difficult to clean between them. Once your teeth are properly aligned, it will be easier to brush and floss. When you’re not fighting with hard to reach areas, your oral care routine will be easier, and you’ll be able to reach all of the surfaces of your teeth and gums.
Improved Oral Health
Braces will give you a smile you can be proud of, but it will also help the health of your teeth and gums. When teeth are crooked and overlapping, it’s difficult to clean them properly which can lead to bigger problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss.
Further, overcrowded teeth or too much space between teeth, overlapping teeth, and bite issues can cause excessive wear and tear on your teeth and gums. Braces can alleviate this excess pressure and prevent breakdown of tooth enamel.
Also, any orthodontic treatment will mean you need to brush and floss more frequently. Your teeth will be healthier and after a year or two of braces, you’ll have excellent oral care habits for the rest of your life.
A Healthier Jaw
Even if your teeth are mostly straight, you may have a misaligned bite. Overbites, underbites, and crossbites can stress your jaw and jaw joints leading to pain, headaches, TMJ, and even locked jaw syndrome. Braces can correct alignment issues and relieve unnecessary stress on your jaw.
Super Speech
Have you ever considered how many sounds you make using your teeth? If you have gaps, overcrowded teeth, or protruding teeth, you may have difficulty with some sounds. Though braces can cause some alterations to your speech patterns, once they’re removed, your teeth will be straight, and you should notice improved speech.
Aids in Digestion
Whenever you eat food, your teeth have to work at breaking down the particles. When your teeth are properly aligned, they chew more effectively to break down the food so your digestive system can make the most of everything you eat.
Boost Your Overall Health
Did you know that poor oral health has been tied to serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease? Straight, healthy teeth won’t just look good, they’ll help you feel better.
Starting braces as an adult may have some unexpected and welcome effects. Orthodontic treatment can help TMJ and sleep apnea by correcting bite and tooth alignment issues. For those with TMJ, it relieves tension to reduce clenching. If you have sleep apnea, braces can make more room in your mouth and open airways.
Your Teeth Straightening Options
Now that you know the benefits of braces, are you ready to get started? Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll have some options for braces. There are advantages to each type of braces, so you’ll want to talk with your orthodontist to choose the one that works best with your lifestyle and treatment needs.
Braces offer a way to correct your smile for cosmetic reasons, but they can also improve your overall oral and physical health. If you’re looking for affordable braces, the team at Jefferson Dental Care can help. Contact the clinic nearest you to make an appointment.
