Teeth braces help transform your smile. But they also play a vital role in improving your oral health and overall wellbeing.Teeth ceramic braces correct crooked teeth and improve overall oral health by reducing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw pain. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, which can lead to better oral hygiene and reduce your risk of infection. They also reduce the likelihood that food will become lodged between misaligned teeth, which can lead to bacterial growth and increased cavities.
Crooked teeth create hidden nooks and crannies that are difficult for a toothbrush to reach, resulting in plaque accumulation and increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Straighter teeth make it easier to maintain proper brushing habits.
They Straighten Your Teeth
Crooked teeth can also place excess stress on the jaw bone and muscles, which can result in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). This can cause headaches and jaw pain. TMD can be prevented by straightening your crooked teeth with braces. During treatment, you may experience some discomfort, but over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help. If your brackets or wires irritate or chafe your cheeks or lips, try using orthodontic wax to create a barrier between them and your soft tissues. You can also eat softer foods to minimize pain, and avoid biting your tongue or cheek.
They Help You Chew Better
Chewing properly is an essential first step in the digestive process. It reduces the workload of your stomach and intestines and helps absorb nutrients. If your teeth are misaligned, chewing can be painful or difficult, preventing you from eating the full range of foods you need. Braces help to improve bite alignment, reducing discomfort and allowing you to enjoy the foods you love.
Crowded or crooked teeth create hidden nooks and crannies that are hard to clean, which can lead to bacterial plaque build-up and a higher risk of gum disease. Straightened teeth make cleaning and flossing easier, reducing the risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems.
Misaligned teeth can also interfere with your speech. Braces can correct an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite to promote better speech clarity. This can give you a competitive edge in the workplace, especially in roles that require public speaking or interacting with clients and colleagues.
They Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth and bone loss. It starts when bacteria build up on the teeth and form a sticky film called plaque. This irritates the gums, which may bleed when they are brushed or flossed. If not treated, the plaque can harden into tartar and cause inflammation and sensitivity.
Braces make it harder to clean your teeth, as the wires, brackets, and bands create nooks and crannies where food particles can hide. This can contribute to the development of gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease.
Gingivitis is easy to treat when caught early, but if left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis, which damages the teeth and jawbone. Teeth braces can correct misaligned teeth and improve oral health, reducing your risk for gum disease in the future. By straightening your teeth and correcting bite issues, they can also reduce your risk for future jaw pain and discomfort.
They Improve Your Speech
Having crooked or misaligned teeth often interferes with your tongue’s ability to articulate sounds correctly. This can also lead to problems like lisps and other speech impediments. In many cases, orthodontic treatment can improve these issues by straightening your teeth and correcting your bite.
Some people experience a slight lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds when they first get braces. This is because the tongue must learn to make sounds around the new obstacles introduced by the brackets and wires. However, this typically improves within a few weeks.
If you have concerns about your speech while adjusting to braces, try reading aloud and speaking clearly as much as possible. It also helps to eat soft foods to avoid discomfort in the mouth and lips. Remember to stay hydrated because dryness can exacerbate these issues. Also, be sure to keep in mind that any changes to your speech are temporary and will resolve once the appliance is removed.