Whether you’re considering braces as a way to improve your smile or you simply want a healthier mouth, there are a lot of benefits to having them. For instance, they can help to prevent serious health issues like tooth decay and gum disease, as well as improve your oral health by ensuring that you are able to chew and digest your food properly.
Straightening Teeth – Medical Benefits
The appearance of crooked teeth, spacing between teeth, and overbites can be very unsightly, affecting one’s confidence. Fortunately, orthodontics can fix these problems and provide a boost to self-esteem. In fact, a recent study found that patients who had undergone treatment reported a higher quality of life than those who had not.
Orthodontic treatment can also have a positive effect on your overall oral health, by preventing problems like tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, it can reduce the risk of jawbone erosion and bone loss due to misaligned teeth.
Braces can also improve speech, by aligning your teeth and tongue to allow you to pronounce certain words correctly. Moreover, they can help to correct some pronunciation issues such as slurs and lisps.
In some cases, Braces can also fix bite issues such as a crowded or protruding jaw that causes the top and bottom teeth to not touch when you close your mouth. This can make it difficult to eat and could cause digestive problems.
It is not uncommon for patients with a crowded or crooked mouth to avoid social situations altogether, as they feel self-conscious about their appearance. But there’s no need to worry, because a straighter smile can enhance your social life and improve your self-esteem.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your dental health and achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of, contact us today to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you determine if braces are right for you!
Understanding Your Braces – Biomechanics
The way that braces work is by exerting pressure on the teeth and jaw to change their position. This is done by a series of brackets that are glued to the teeth and an archwire that connects them. The curved wires apply pressure on the teeth and jaws, causing them to shift gradually into their desired positions over time.
This process can take from a week to three years, depending on your specific needs. During this time, you will be expected to attend regular visits with your orthodontist.
During each visit, you will need to make sure that your teeth and gums are clean before the orthodontist places the brackets. After the braces are placed, your orthodontist will monitor your progress and may give you some instructions for taking care of your new smile.
The braces you will wear during treatment can be made from ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel. They are usually attached to the front of each tooth. However, there are some options for more discreet braces that can be fitted to the inside of the teeth instead of the outside. These include clear braces and lingual braces.