Sure, having straight, even teeth looks great, but did you know that a perfectly aligned smile has health benefits, too? Here’s why getting braces isn’t just about keeping up appearances!
Oral Health Benefits of Straighter Teeth
Having crooked or crowded teeth can often be embarrassing, especially if they overlap or have large gaps. Worse yet, however, is that often this can make it very difficult to keep them clean, leading to an increase in bad breath, cavities and even gum disease. If left untreated, these problems can cause everything from infection to tooth loss and jawbone deterioration.
The great news is that when your teeth can finally lay flush following orthodontic treatment, they are much easier to keep clean. Straightening them eliminates many of the issues caused by crowding, because there are no hidden spaces for food and plaque to accumulate. Better still, your brush and floss can easily access as much area as possible, reducing bad breath and staining, too.
Less Tooth Damage
When your teeth aren’t aligned properly, it can cause excessive wear and tear on certain teeth and make others more prone to breakage if they collide with each other when you are eating or speaking. Orthodontics can lower the risk of this happening, because your teeth will not be in the way of each other, so to speak.
Reduced Pain
Sometimes when you have crooked teeth, it can put excessive stress on your joints, causing head, neck, and jaw pain. Straightening your smile can eliminate this pain, along with TMJ dysfunction problems and even migraine headaches!
Clearer Speech
Another excellent benefit of having straighter teeth is improved speech clarity. Though you may not even realize it, a misaligned bite can sometimes affect how you pronounce words. When you correct the positioning of your teeth, your speech may improve as a result!
Remember, while having a straight, even smile is a benefit in and of itself, there are so many wonderful reasons to align your smile with the help of orthodontics that go way beyond just appearances. To learn more about how braces can benefit you, speak to your orthodontist today!
About Dr. Holland
Dr. William “Vaughn” Holland earned his dental degree at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, where he also completed a five-year dual specialty program in both Prosthodontics and Orthodontics. Today, Dr. Holland is proud to offer orthodontic care to patients of all ages just two miles from where he grew up! If you’d like to see how braces can change your appearance and your health, schedule an appointment with Ortega Orthodontics today by visiting our website or calling us at 904-388-4600.