Whether you have crooked teeth or gaps, braces can help. These metal devices have brackets that attach to each tooth and a wire threaded through them.
Teeth play a significant role in the digestion process by cutting and grinding food into smaller bits before it enters your stomach. Misaligned teeth can restrict this function, resulting in poor chewing and gastrointestinal discomfort. Contact Las Vegas Braces for professional help.
Many people get braces because they want a more attractive smile. While this is a common reason, it’s important to remember that the benefits of orthodontic treatment go beyond cosmetic improvements. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, which reduces the risk of dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, braces help create a more balanced facial appearance by correcting misalignments and overcrowding.
The improved alignment of the teeth also makes it easier to brush and floss effectively, which further lowers the risk for oral health problems. For example, crooked or overcrowded teeth can trap food particles, leading to bad breath. With braces, you can eliminate these food particles and enjoy fresher, healthier breath.
Orthodontic treatment can also improve speech clarity by addressing issues like slurring. In addition, misaligned jaws can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. Braces can correct these issues and ensure that the teeth come together properly when you chew, which alleviates strain on the jaw joints and reduces the risk for future complications.
Braces can also address bite issues, which can cause jaw pain and abrasions on the cheek and tongue. A proper bite can also prevent premature wear and tear on the teeth, reducing the risk of tooth loss.
Better Oral Hygiene
One of the most important things to remember when wearing braces is that regular and thorough oral hygiene is essential. While this may seem like a pain at first, with time and practice it will become easier and more effective.
Crowded and misaligned teeth can trap food particles, creating bacteria-breeding areas that lead to tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. Correcting these issues through orthodontic treatment can prevent more serious health concerns in the future.
By addressing issues such as overcrowding, braces can make brushing and flossing more effective. This will help reduce plaque buildup around brackets, wires, and between teeth. It will also improve the ability to properly chew foods, reducing issues with digestion.
One of the main causes of bad breath is bacterial build-up around the gum line, wires, and brackets. This is especially true for those who frequently eat sticky or sugary foods. However, brushing regularly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste can remove the bacteria that cause bad breath. Flossing daily is also essential to help remove food stuck between teeth, as well as other hard-to-reach places. If necessary, a dental professional can recommend tools such as floss threaders or interdental brushes to ensure all surfaces of the teeth are properly cleaned.
In addition to bad breath, those who wear braces often suffer from halitosis due to the way their mouth smells after meals and snacks. This is usually caused by the build-up of bacteria and plaque around the braces, wires, and gum lines. However, this can be prevented by avoiding sticky and sugary foods and practicing good oral hygiene with the use of braces. Your dentist will teach you how to brush and floss effectively with braces to ensure all surfaces of the teeth are properly brushed.
Increased Self-Esteem
Children and teens often feel insecure when wearing braces. They worry that their peers will notice their appearance and teasing or bullying could follow. However, as their teeth straighten, these concerns diminish. The straighter smile also gives them a sense of accomplishment that can boost self-esteem.
In addition, children who wear braces can develop a strong sense of responsibility in caring for their dental health because of the daily oral hygiene routine required with braces. This instills a lifelong commitment to good oral health that will benefit their health for years to come.
Braces also correct malocclusions, which can cause discomfort when eating or speaking. The crookedness or extra space between teeth can lead to bacterial build-up and make it difficult to clean the gums effectively. With orthodontic treatment, the overlapping and crooked teeth are removed to create a more even bite, eliminating these issues and improving oral health.
Additionally, malocclusion can interfere with chewing, causing problems with digestion. When a person can’t properly chew, large chunks of food enter the stomach, resulting in intestinal distress and bloating. The proper alignment created by braces can make it easier to chew, aiding the digestive process.
Overall, a straighter smile can improve the quality of life for people of all ages. While some may experience initial dips in confidence due to diet restrictions and discomfort from appointments, it’s important to remember that these challenges are temporary. Instead of focusing on these factors, patients should focus on the incredible end result that will be achieved with their orthodontic treatment – a straight, healthy smile. To help boost your confidence, surround yourself with friends and family who support you throughout the journey of getting braces. You can also connect with others who have undergone similar orthodontic treatments to provide reassurance and guidance.
Reduced Risk of Tooth Decay
The most obvious reason to get braces is to straighten crooked teeth and improve the alignment of your jaw. However, the treatment can also be beneficial for your oral health by reducing your risk of tooth decay.
Teeth can develop cavities when bacteria attack the hard, outer tooth enamel and break it down. If the damage isn’t repaired, the softer dentin underneath can be exposed and damaged by bacteria. This can lead to holes, or cavities, in the teeth which can be painful if left untreated.
In the early stages of tooth decay (demineralisation) the weakened enamel may appear chalky or white and is often accompanied by gum inflammation or sensitivity. Frequent brushing with a fluoride containing toothpaste and routine dental visits help to remineralise the enamel making it more resistant to acid attacks which can cause tooth decay.
Once the demineralised enamel breaks down, the bacteria move deeper into the tooth until they reach the inner pulp material which contains nerves and blood vessels. This can cause pain and an infection in the tooth called a cavity or abscess. If a cavity isn’t treated it can spread to the bone surrounding the tooth and even affect neighbouring teeth resulting in the loss of teeth.
Aside from improving your appearance and promoting better oral hygiene, getting braces can reduce the risk of developing tooth decay because it can make your teeth more durable. The newer types of braces apply a constant pressure to the teeth which can make them more resistant to damage. They can also be made from materials that allow them to reflect more light so they are less likely to stain.
Reduced Risk of Bone Loss
One of the most important benefits that braces provide is a reduced risk of bone loss. This is because misaligned teeth can cause the gum tissues and bones to erode, especially when bacteria are left to sit in the mouth for long periods of time. Braces can fix this by preventing the teeth from overlapping and by providing better support for the jawbone. This also alleviates pressure on the gums and bones so they can naturally rebuild in their new positions.
This also helps reduce the risk of falls, which often result in fractured bones in older adults. Studies show that people with lower bone mass are at greater risk of falling, which can cause serious injuries like fractures and even death.
Another problem that many people have with crooked or overcrowded teeth is bad breath. This is because food particles get trapped between the teeth and are not cleaned properly with toothbrushes or floss. Braces help remove food particles from hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, which makes for healthier and fresher breath.
Misaligned teeth can also impact the way you pronounce words, and this is a problem that braces can address. They can shift the positioning of teeth that are affecting your ability to pronounce certain words distinctly, and they can close off spaces that could cause whistling. They can also help prevent word slurring by ensuring that your tongue is able to move freely within the mouth. This will give you clearer and more professional-sounding speech. They can also help you chew your food better, which helps your stomach digest it faster. This can reduce stomach issues like bloating, gas and discomfort.