Most people know that dental braces help correct the appearance of their smile. But did you know they also improve oral health?
Overcrowded and crooked teeth create hidden nooks and crannies that are difficult to clean, leading to a buildup of bacteria and a higher risk of tooth decay. Braces help prevent this by adjusting the alignment of your teeth.
- Better Oral Hygiene
A straighter smile isn’t only healthy in a cosmetic sense; it helps promote better oral health by eliminating overcrowding, closing gaps between teeth and correcting midline alignment. These issues can lead to gum disease, periodontal problems and tooth decay.
However, if not properly maintained, orthodontic braces can create additional surfaces for food particles and plaque to accumulate. This raises the risk of halitosis, prolonged treatment time, damaged or eroded teeth and discolored enamel, and more.
To prevent these risks, individuals wearing braces should follow a strict diet that limits sticky and sugary foods and acidic foods. This will help avoid plaque buildup around brackets and wires, minimize stains and damage to the mouth and reduce bad breath. An orthodontist can advise on appropriate dietary choices.
- Less Risk of Gum Disease
One of the primary reasons people pursue braces is because they have overcrowded teeth or bite issues that could lead to a variety of oral health problems. Correcting these problems eliminates nooks and crannies where food can hide, reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Overcrowded teeth can leave hidden areas where plaque can hide, causing tooth decay. This can also cause gingivitis, a condition that often manifests as red and bleeding gums during brushing or flossing. Left untreated, gingivitis can become periodontitis, a more severe and dangerous problem that damages the bones in your jaw.
Misaligned teeth and bites can also lead to excessive wear on certain teeth, increasing the risk of tooth loss. By realigning these teeth, braces help distribute the force of your bite evenly, reducing the risk for premature tooth damage and jaw stress.
- Better Chewing
Misaligned teeth make chewing difficult, which can lead to food particles becoming trapped in the mouth. This leads to plaque build-up and other oral health issues. Braces provide a steady, gentle force to help correct crowded teeth and improve jaw alignment.
It’s important to focus on eating soft foods while wearing braces. This can reduce discomfort and prevent damage to the teeth. Choose nourishing and easy-to-chew choices like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, and soups.
It’s also a good idea to avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods as these can dislodge brackets and bend wires. It’s also a good idea to drink water frequently throughout the day to keep the mouth clean. This can help prevent bacteria from lingering in the mouth and causing tooth decay and gum disease.
- Better Speech
Achieving straight teeth and a properly aligned bite can help alleviate a variety of speech issues, including lisps and slurring. Correcting these issues can lead to improved self-confidence and enhanced social interactions, especially if the issue is corrected in childhood before it has time to affect adulthood.
Traditional braces use metal brackets that are attached to the front of the teeth to guide them until they are properly aligned, helping to eliminate bite problems, overcrowding and more. Orthodontic treatment plans also include the option for clear braces, which use the same technology as metal braces but are more subtle in appearance. While it can take some getting used to, most people quickly adapt to speaking with braces and regain their normal speech patterns. For children, working with a speech therapist during this period can help them adjust more quickly.
- Less Risk of Tooth Trauma
The tight spaces left by crooked or misaligned teeth provide hiding spots for food particles and plaque, leading to tooth decay and gum issues. Braces close these gaps and improve the alignment of the teeth, reducing this risk.
Well-chewed foods require less effort from the digestive system to break down, resulting in reduced chances of stomach discomfort and digestive disorders over time. Braces also make it easier to chew a wide variety of foods, encouraging you to enjoy more varied diets.
In addition to correcting speech and bite problems, dental braces transform the look of your smile for a more harmonious facial appearance. This boosts self-confidence and leads to improved social interactions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that wearing braces for a long period of time increases the risk of irritated or damaged soft tissues around the mouth.