For many decades, braces were often perceived by some individuals as a luxury that improved facial aesthetics. That’s understandable, considering braces give you a better smile and, in some cases, even slightly alter your facial symmetry.
However, the benefits of braces go beyond appearance, and here at Grinz Orthodontics, our treatment plans address a broad range of orthodontic issues that can have adverse effects if left untreated. We’ll explore the long-term advantages of undergoing this type of treatment and the many dental problems it can prevent.
Braces and Orthodontics
Braces and other orthodontic appliances serve an important purpose. The primary benefits relate to improving the positioning of your teeth, which leads to overall improved oral health.
Also, when combined with other appliances, they vastly improve the balance of your jawbones and thus, prevent the occurrence of TMJ. These are a few of the problems that braces help with. Learn more about our orthodontic solutions on our Traditional Braces and Clear Aligners pages.
Alignment of Teeth
Some examples of misalignment issues include gaps and crowding. There may be two extremes, but both lead to premature decay and gum disease. However, orthodontic treatment greatly decreases the chances of dealing with these oral health problems.
With both of these issues, you can expect plaque buildup to become an increasingly serious problem, which we’ll go into more later. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that wide gaps in between teeth leave room for plaque, and crowding gets in the way (literally) of brushing.
So braces would serve a broader purpose than just giving a straighter smile. Check out our guide: How to Know If You Need Braces.
Bite Correction
Overbite and underbite are two other common problems that braces can fix. Plus, they correct malocclusions and crossbites, both of which can cause wear and tear of the enamel and lead to chipping.
Malocclusion is the condition where the teeth are crowded, shaped differently, or the jaws are not aligned, in more extreme cases. Braces, on the other hand, can apply constant pressure to the teeth and jaws over time to get them positioned to where they should be. You can explore our Overbite Braces article for more insight.
Jaw Balance
Plus, braces help with balancing out your jaw alignment. By using rubber bands or jaw expanders in conjunction with braces, a narrow jaw can be widened, or gentle, consistent pressure can be applied to reposition the jaws and regain their balance. We also provide Airway Orthodontics when narrow jaws impact breathing.
Health Benefits of Braces
Misaligned teeth can lead to severe dental problems later in life. For this reason, braces prove to be vital and effective in straightening teeth and improving dental health.
For instance, crowded teeth get in the way of flossing. You literally can’t get the dental floss to fit in between teeth, much less remove bits of food.
You also have a similar situation with crossbites, overbites, and underbites. Groups of upper or lower teeth cover each other and prevent a toothbrush from gaining thorough coverage of the surface. Once teeth are straightened, oral hygiene becomes a lot easier.
Another lesser-known health issue related to orthodontic problems is nutrition. In other words, if you have trouble with chewing due to an imbalanced bite, sensitive enamel, and malocclusion, then you’re more likely to opt for foods with little nutritional value.
In fact, you might shy away from cruciferous vegetables, like asparagus and broccoli, and reach for softer, more processed foods that are bad for your health. Therefore, when looking at the bigger picture of your well-being, braces play a major role in the prevention of severe health problems.
Overbite Braces and Functional Corrections
Along with improved dental health and oral hygiene, straighter teeth provide a higher comfort level in general.
You’ll notice a difference when eating as noted. Crunchy foods or fruits and vegetables that have a rougher texture (like celery and apples) won’t be difficult to chew. And you won’t have to worry about chipping or cracking a tooth.
Plus, if you’ve detected a slight lisp before undergoing orthodontic treatment, you won’t hear it afterward. Bite issues tend to affect one’s speech and pronunciation, but often they aren’t addressed. However, having proper alignment makes a positive impact. Learn more about invisible correction options like Invisalign and Angel Aligners.
Beautiful Smile and Confidence
And of course, a straight, beautiful smile is enough to boost anyone’s confidence. When teeth are properly aligned and the jawbones are balanced, smiling for the camera becomes easier. And you won’t have to worry about additional oral health problems, like an abscessed tooth, that impacts both appearance and well-being.
Furthermore, conversation no longer poses a challenge due to feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth or a lisp that was caused by misalignment. You can tackle any situation that involves public speaking or networking without concerns about your teeth or your speech. We offer care for all ages, including Teen Orthodontics and Adult Orthodontics.
Conclusion
Now that you know that orthodontic treatment with braces offers more than just a better smile, you might wonder how to get started and what to expect when you visit an orthodontist. The experts at Grinz Orthodontics have the answers to all your questions about braces–from the various types to maintenance after your treatment plan has been completed.
To learn more about braces and their benefits, or to find out if you’re a potential candidate, contact Grinz Orthodontics or schedule an appointment online using our Booking Form.
