Did you know that more than 4 million people get braces in the United States each year? It’s true! While this smile-enhancing treatment is largely known for its ability to transform the look of your smile, patients often forget or are unaware of the health benefits of straight teeth. If you’re in the same boat, then keep reading to learn all of the non-cosmetic perks of braces.
#1. Fewer Dental Problems
Misalignment issues, like crooked and gapped teeth, create unique crevices for food particles, plaque, and other debris to hide in. As a result, your brushing and flossing routine is less likely to provide you with a thorough cleaning. Fortunately, braces can guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, significantly reducing your likelihood of developing dental problems, like cavities and gum disease.
#2. Better Bite Alignment
If your bite doesn’t come together properly, you’re vulnerable to a number of consequences. The first is indigestion. When you don’t chew effectively, your body has to work extra hard to break down your food and absorb the nutrients, resulting in symptoms like heartburn and pain in your upper abdomen. Plus, since the pressure from chewing isn’t dispersed evenly, a bad bite can lead to chronic teeth grinding/clenching. Luckily, this is another common orthodontic issue that can be effectively addressed with braces.
#3. Less Wear and Tear
Braces do align your teeth in one perfectly curved arch, but this orthodontic treatment also ensures your top and bottom teeth come together evenly. This prevents certain teeth from bearing most of the pressure when you chew, which can quickly lead to excessive wear and tear. Since this issue can be time-consuming and costly to correct, it’s safe to say that braces are worth the investment.
#4. Improved Speech
To form words, your tongue makes a series of distinct movements against the back of your teeth. If gaps and crowding impede this process, then you may develop a change to your speaking patterns, like a slight lisp. The good news is that braces can safely guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, allowing you to enunciate clearly.
If you’ve been hesitant to move forward with braces, it’s important to remember that this teeth-straightening treatment will benefit the look and function of your smile! So, don’t wait any longer to schedule your initial consultation.
About the Practice
Leading our team at Simply Dental & Orthodontics are three phenomenal dentists, Dr. Khedkar and Dr. Carvalho. Together, they are proud to help patients of all ages struggling with misaligned teeth through personalized, meticulous, effective orthodontic treatment. As a result, you can enjoy beautifully straight teeth that benefit the look, function, and health of your smile! If you’d like to learn more about the health benefits of straight teeth or want to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 508-358-6300.