Dental braces use gentle pressure over time to gradually straighten teeth. They help correct bite issues that cause crooked or crowdedness of the teeth, as this creates hidden crevices where bacteria can flourish and lead to gum disease.
Misaligning teeth can disrupt speech and cause lisps. Braces provide an effective solution to closing gaps between the teeth to enhance speech clarity.
Improved Oral Hygiene
Many dental experts advise getting braces early on; but straightening teeth doesn’t just benefit teens – even adults can benefit from straightening their crookedness.
No matter whether or not you wear braces, it is vitally important that you brush and floss daily – at least twice, in fact – as this removes bacteria that could otherwise lead to swollen gums, tooth decay and permanent stain marks on the teeth. When caring for braces it is particularly crucial that plaque build-up around the brackets and wires be eliminated thoroughly in order to keep bacteria at bay and avoid future issues with braces or their wires and brackets.
Sticky foods should be avoided to help reduce dental plaque formation. Crunchy fruits like apples and carrots should also be cut up before being eaten to prevent damaging wires or brackets during their chewing experience. An orthodontist and their staff can advise patients about food choices which will best contribute to maintaining oral hygiene while wearing braces.
Better Digestion
If your teeth are crowded, overlapping, or crooked it is difficult to maintain good oral hygiene as plaque and bacteria hide in hard-to-reach places. But with properly aligned teeth it becomes easier to brush and floss them, helping you eliminate plaque and bacteria for a healthier smile.
Straighter teeth make chewing food easier, leading to improved digestion because more efficiently broken-down food molecules enter your digestive system.
Misaligning teeth can also contribute to speech difficulties, including lisping. Orthodontic treatment tends to remedy this issue. Protruding teeth are more prone to injury during physical activities like sports or falling; braces shift these protrusions back into their ideal positions and lower injury risks significantly, thus improving your quality of life and ultimately leading to improved quality of life overall. Furthermore, patients who have straighter teeth feel less self-conscious about their appearance and are therefore more confident when socializing with others.
Less Risk of Gum Disease
Crooked teeth resulting from improper or incomplete orthodontic care can trap bacterial plaque between and behind them, potentially leading to gum disease affecting bone and tissue support for your teeth. Regular visits to your dentist or dental hygienist during treatment is vital in keeping plaque at bay; it is especially crucial if you wear braces.
Straighter teeth make brushing and flossing simpler, as food particles don’t get stuck between teeth that may otherwise be hard to reach with conventional toothbrushes and dental floss. Be sure to brush three to four times per day with soft-bristled toothbrushes containing fluoride-enriched toothpaste and use either a floss threader or water flosser to remove any food that becomes lodged between your teeth; finish up by rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash for additional reduction of bacteria in oral cavities.
Braces can help correct an improper bite and help protect against uneven wear on teeth that could increase tooth sensitivity or decay risk, as well as reduce jaw stress that contributes to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).
Increased Confidence
Crooked teeth or misalignment of their jaw can negatively impact self-esteem and cause individuals to withdraw from social situations altogether, hiding away in fear. These issues may prompt some individuals to shy away from public visibility, hide their smile, and avoid social interactions altogether.
Installing braces to straighten your smile can give a significant boost in self-confidence. The process releases neuropeptides – natural stress-fighters – as well as dopamine, the so-called happiness hormone. All these contribute to creating an overall sense of well-being.
Staying positive through any discomfort is key to reaching the goal of a healthy, straight smile. Incorporating foods like gum or popcorn that won’t get caught in your braces into your diet as this will help prevent cavities while simultaneously keeping gums clean – both key components to good oral health. Furthermore, proper alignment will allow easier cleaning which in turn decreases food debris, plaque and bacteria buildup as a risk.