Braces are a type of orthodontic equipment used to straighten teeth. They work by applying a steady pressure on your misaligned teeth to guide them into their correct positions. Today’s braces are smaller and more attractive than those of a generation ago. They can be made from either stainless steel or ceramic.
Improved Oral Hygiene
One of the primary reasons for pursuing orthodontic treatment is to enhance oral hygiene practices. Crooked teeth and overcrowding can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues that impact your overall health. Braces can help address these concerns and improve your long-term oral health.
Overcrowded or misaligned teeth create tight spaces where food particles and plaque love to hide. This makes it challenging to effectively clean your teeth, increasing your risk of developing periodontal disease and cavities. Braces gradually correct these issues, making it easier to maintain consistent brushing and flossing routines, reducing your risk of developing these and other dental problems.
Misaligned teeth can also lead to an improper bite, which puts unnecessary stress on specific teeth and leads to premature wear and tear. Braces can correct overbites, underbites, and crossbites, improving the alignment of your teeth and ensuring they meet properly when you chew. This will reduce your risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, such as jaw pain and clicking sounds.
Better Chewing
When teeth are crooked or crowded, they create tight spaces where food particles and bacterial plaque can hide. These hiding places are challenging to clean with a toothbrush and floss, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Straightening your teeth with braces removes these obstacles, making it easier to practice good oral hygiene.
In addition, properly aligned teeth and jaws distribute the forces of biting and chewing evenly. This minimizes the strain on your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and reduces the likelihood of developing TMJ disorders over time.
Depending on your needs, your orthodontist may add power chains to your treatment plan. These devices, also known as elastic chains or c-chain ligatures, are many connected elastics that deliver additional pressure when needed to move the teeth in a specific direction. They can be particularly useful for closing gaps between teeth.
Improved Speech
Orthodontic treatment aims to correct not only the cosmetic appearance of teeth and jaws, but also oral functionality. Speech problems like lisping and difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, including fricatives and affricates, are commonly corrected by orthodontic solutions like braces and clear aligners. By addressing dental malocclusions like overbites, underbites, crossbites and crowding, braces help improve articulation and clear speech.
During the initial phase of treatment, it is not uncommon for individuals to experience temporary speech alterations as they adjust to wearing braces or clear aligners. Fortunately, these changes are typically transient and resolve within a few days to a few weeks. Once the orthodontic appliance is removed, many patients find their speech is improved even further as a result of the corrections made by braces and aligners. In addition, a more balanced bite helps reduce tooth grinding and prevents temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, which can impact the clarity of speech. Moreover, straighter teeth can make it easier to clean and floss, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and gum disease.
Enhanced Confidence
A straight smile is an important component of a balanced facial appearance, and braces work tirelessly to improve and align your teeth and jaw, giving you a beautiful smile that boosts confidence in both personal and professional interactions.
Achieving a straighter smile requires diligent care, including regular orthodontic appointments and adherence to your orthodontist’s dietary instructions. This process teaches kids the value of responsibility and discipline, while also boosting self-esteem and promoting holistic well-being.
Crowded or misaligned teeth create tight spaces that are difficult to clean effectively, creating hiding spots for harmful bacteria and increasing the risk of tooth decay. Straightened teeth are easier to brush and floss, reducing the risk of gum disease. Additionally, correcting bite issues alleviates jaw pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders.