It is no secret that braces from Dillehay Orthodontics can help deliver a naturally aligned and beautiful smile. But did you know there are even greater benefits to wearing braces than just having straight teeth? There are also a number of health benefits that braces patients will experience apart from the aesthetic benefits of braces. Patients with orthodontic issues are often not aware of the dangers associated with improper or misaligned teeth. It is true that orthodontic braces can give you a beautiful smile, but our team of experts here at Dillehay Orthodontics want you to understand the other positives that can come out of having braces, and how they can improve your oral health. Read on further to get a feel for the added benefits braces offer!
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Your teeth may overlap each other and create tight spaces in between when they are crooked or crowded. This allows bacteria and plaque to build up because it is very difficult to brush and floss effectively with misaligned teeth. This will eventually lead to tooth decay and gum disease. With orthodontic treatment, your teeth will become properly aligned and spaced, and allow for more effective brushing. One of the primary concerns of orthodontic issues is the increased risk of oral disease such as periodontitis and gum disease. Patients with severely crooked or misaligned teeth naturally have crevices that are not experienced by individuals with straight teeth. These crevices essentially act as hiding places for food buildup and bacteria. These crevices make it more difficult for patients to achieve the required level of dental hygiene needed to prevent health issues from developing. The buildup of food and bacteria due to the failure to maintain proper oral hygiene can easily develop into plaque, tartar, cavities, and eventually disease. Correcting the teeth with the use of braces can eliminate these hard-to-reach areas, thus decreasing the overall risk for oral disease. Patients are able to brush and floss more effectively and not miss essential areas of the mouth after braces correct the spacing between teeth, and get rid of the tight spaces.
Having straight teeth can also improve an individual’s overall health apart from just their oral health. A misaligned bite occurs when a patient’s jaws do not align properly. The patient may experience bite issues that can cause unusual and hazardous stress to be placed on certain teeth and areas of the mouth as a result. This uneven distribution of pressure can cause strain on the jaws, muscles, and ligaments during eating and other everyday activities. Certain teeth may eventually weaken and become susceptible to chipping and breaking due to the unusual stress on them. This can lead to infection and the need for tooth extraction. Correcting the bite through the use of braces helps to prevent and reduce the risk of these issues, thus contributing to the overall health of the patient. Some patients experience issues such as protruding front teeth. This can be potentially hazardous, especially for individuals who are involved in activities such as sports that increase the risk of blunt force to the mouth. These patients experience a greater risk of chipping and breaking due to the positioning of the teeth. They definitely need to consider orthodontic treatment through braces in order to avoid the risks associated with protruding front teeth.
Difficulties with Speech
Your teeth play an essential role in speech. Your speaking patterns can be affected when they are out of line or lean too far forward or backward, which can cause embarrassment and frustration. Braces can adjust the positioning of the teeth to allow for clearer, more professional speech and they can shift the problem teeth that are causing embarrassing speech impediments. Patients can pronounce certain words more distinctly when an overbite or underbite gets adjusted. Spaces between teeth may also cause whistling, which braces can fix by closing off the gaps. The realignment of the jaw and teeth with braces opens up room for your tongue to move with greater ease which can improve word slurring.
Bone Erosion
Bone and gum tissues begin to erode when there are no teeth to support. This is also true for poorly aligned teeth that leave gaps and spaces, or place too much pressure on the jawbone due to a bad bite. Braces help support the bones and tissues in your mouth which makes them less likely to erode and can continue to support the teeth in their new alignment with braces. Braces move periodontal ligaments by stretching the connective tissues and nerves. Braces will alleviate pressure from the jawbone by fixing a bad bite over time and help prevent erosion of the gums. Once they are settled in their new spot, the bones naturally rebuild.
Digestion
Your teeth play an important role in digestion. Before food ever even enters your stomach, it has been partially digested by the teeth. Crooked or misaligned teeth may not play their role in breaking down food as effectively as they should before it enters your stomach. Teeth aid with digestion when you can thoroughly chew your food. If your teeth are badly placed, braces can straighten them for optimal alignment for eating and chewing. Once you can chew properly with the help of braces, your food will be more easily and fully digested.
The staff of Dillehay Orthodontics is happy to answer any of your questions about orthodontic treatment or braces and how they can help you. You can visit us at one of our convenient offices in the Wichita area, or give us a call today to set up a consultation appointment. Braces can help with many oral health problems, and may save you a lot of money and time in the future. If you are not sure whether braces would be worth your time or money, consider the benefits above, and how they add to the value of this treatment. Let us help you achieve a beautiful smile and much, much more!