Aesthetics
Of course, dental braces help improve the overall look and feel of your teeth by straightening them and aligning your bite. Straight teeth enhance your smile, how you chew and speak and improve your confidence. But, did you know that there are actually functional benefits of braces and that they can help keep your gums, teeth and jaw healthy?
Prevent Cavities
Straight teeth help to prevent cavities by being easier to keep clean. When teeth are in proper alignment, there are fewer nooks and crannies for plaque and bacteria to get trapped in and sit on the teeth, leading to tooth decay.
Prevent Gum Disease
In the same way that straight teeth help prevent cavities, straight teeth also help prevent gum disease by reducing the plaque and bacteria that sit on the teeth. Teeth and gums can be challenging to brush and floss when they are out of alignment, and sometimes, extra tools will be needed to keep them clean daily. When you have straight teeth, you have teeth that are easier to brush and floss.
Prevent Tooth Wear/ Chips
Teeth out of alignment and an off bite can contribute to tooth wear and tooth chipping. This is because excess force will be placed on certain teeth and not enough on other teeth and will wear down the teeth taking most of the burden. The upper and lower teeth have a natural way they come together, and if it is off, it will likely lead to wear of the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and tooth chipping over time. Teeth in proper alignment absorb biting forces evenly to prevent wear and chipping and keep the enamel healthy.
Dental braces come in several different forms, including band and bracket, aligners and even braces of the backside of your teeth called “lingual braces.” It is essential to talk with your dentist or orthodontist about which kind of braces will work best for you. If you are interested in tooth straightening options, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.