The Hidden Benefits Of Braces
Posted on: 12 February 2018
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Most people think of braces a simple cosmetic procedure in order to get a better-looking smile. While having straighter teeth can have a major effect on your overall appearance (even helping with job and dating prospects), there are many other reasons why braces can be an excellent investment for your dental health. Here are some the hidden benefits you could enjoy by getting braces.
1. Less risk of decay.
Crowding in your mouth can make it easier for food particles and bacteria to be trapped between teeth. Teeth that have little space between them or that overlap are also more difficult to properly clean with regular brushing and flossing. It's also easier for crowded teeth to become stained from coffee or alcohol because they don't get an even distribution of saliva over the crowded places, resulting in teeth that are patchy in places as well as crooked.
When your teeth are straight, you can brush and floss more easily, and you get more out of deep dental cleanings.
2. Better speech.
For some people, tooth and jaw placement has a huge effect on word sounds. For example, crowded front teeth combined with an overbite might result in a lisp or whistling sound when you speak. Only braces can help to place your teeth in the right position so that you no longer have whistling air escape when you pronounce certain words.
3. Less jaw pain.
For some people, tooth displacement is not about looks; it's about comfort. Braces fix bite issues that affect conditions like TMJ (Temporomandibular joint disorders). If you are tired of your jaw aching or hearing a popping sound when you chew, or if you can't open your mouth very wide, bite correction with braces could be at least part of the solution.
4. Reduced risk of tooth damage.
When your teeth are not aligned, they won't meet evenly as you chew. A properly aligned set of teeth fits together to chew your food before you swallow, but crooked teeth might not meet at all, while others take greater amounts of the chewing force. Overtime, this results in uneven wear of the teeth, where the enamel becomes unnecessary worn for the teeth that do all the work, instead of sharing the load. You're less likely to need restorative work on these overworked teeth decades down the line if you invest in braces as a youth or young adult.
To learn more, contact a cosmetic dentist.