If your dentist has recommended braces, don’t be scared away by the thought of years with a metal mouth or the financial commitment they usually entail. Braces do so much more than simply straighten your teeth for a more beautiful smile. Crooked teeth is not just an aesthetic problem. Braces not only give you a more beautiful smile, they also improve your oral health. Don’t risk having a lot of dental problems down the line. Wear braces now so that you have healthy teeth for years to come.
Braces are used to reposition teeth for a straighter smile. It improves both the aesthetics of your smile and the functionality of your teeth. If you choose to get the traditional metal braces, brackets will be adhered to each tooth and a wire will connect the brackets. This is not your only option, however. Invisalign braces are clear plastic trays that can be easily removed when you eat, and when you brush and floss your teeth. Orthodontists also specialize in other corrective procedures and appliances.
Here are some ways braces can improve your oral health:
Cleaner teeth
You know that brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day is important for good oral hygiene, but have you ever asked yourself, am I getting my teeth clean enough? When you have crooked teeth that overlap each other or have a small mouth with crowded teeth, getting out all the food stuck between the teeth and gums can be really difficult. If your hygienist is always warning you about plaque buildup in your mouth, then braces might be the perfect solution.
Plaque is just as serious as cavities because it can cause damage to both your teeth and gum tissues and eventually lead to periodontal disease. Bad breath is a sign of poor oral hygiene. If you suffer from bad breath or dry mouth, make sure you go for a checkup to discover the root of your problem.
Better checkups
Fillings or worse, root canal, is a serious pain. I mean literally. And then there is the expense to fix the problem. What if you can avoid all that with straighter teeth? Investing in the health of your smile is very important. With straighter teeth, cleaning will be easier and thus less tooth decay and tooth loss. Imagine the joy of less stressful dentist appointments where you don’t have to worry about cavities.
Fixing your bite
Malocclusion which simply means misaligned jaw can affect your bite and cause jaw pain. This can cause you discomfort while eating and even talking. The positioning of your teeth can sometimes have a surprising effect on your speech. If you suffer from this, consider getting braces to move your jaw back into place. Both underbites and overbites can make it hard to chew your food and to speak clearly.
Boosts self-confidence
Embarrassment over eating or speech problems can cause social anxiety too. Don’t spend your time hiding at home because you are too afraid to be judged by the condition of your mouth. While self-confidence is not technically a part of oral health, when you have straight, healthy teeth, you are less concerned about bad breath, yellow or decaying teeth and trouble speaking and chewing. If you find yourself very self-conscious about how your mouth looks when you smile or talk, then you will love the transformation that braces can bring. You might also be pleasantly surprised that after wearing braces, the shape of your face has changed. If misaligned teeth cause your upper or bottom jaw to protrude or recede, it affects the shape of your face. With a straighter smile and more aligned jaws, you should also see an improvement in your facial features.
Treats TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder is a common source of jaw pain. It usually presents as a popping or clicking sound when you move mouth. Luckily, braces can help treat this disorder. If you think you might have TMJ, make an appointment with an orthodontist to see if braces would be an effective solution.
Reduces mouth pain
When your mouth is not healthy, you know it. You feel it 24/7. There is no way to escape it, and it can often cause you discomfort and even pain. When your teeth are not aligned properly it can add stress to your mouth. Braces, however, can relieve that pressure as well as prevent damage to your teeth and gums. If you have any mouth pain, this could be a sign of a serious problem. Don’t ignore it because it will not go away on its own.
Take your oral health seriously. You only have one set of adult teeth so you need to take proper care of them throughout your life. If your dentist has recommended braces, consult with the top orthodontists in the Philadelphia area to learn more about whether braces are right for you. You are never too old for braces.
When starting your research for an orthodontist, make sure you research their credentials, experiences and their specialty treatments before making a final decision. Ask which treatment options they prefer. If you are leaning more to Invisalign than to traditional metal braces, then you will want an orthodontist who has a lot of experience in this type of treatment. Weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option carefully. Keep in mind that if you choose the traditional metal braces you will be advised to avoid certain foods like nuts, popcorn, gum and hard candy because they can easily get stuck to your braces or cause a bend in the wire. With Invisalign, there are no food restrictions because you can remove the aligners when you eat.
Don’t wait any longer. Improve your oral health with braces today. If you have been concerned about your oral health, there is no time like the present to do something about it. Improve your oral health with braces. What is a year or two of wearing braces compared with a lifetime of dental problems. Today, we live a lot longer than we did in years past. Make sure you can live each day to the fullest by keeping your natural teeth for as long as you can.
