How Braces Can Enhance Your Smile and Oral Health

Health photo created by Racool_studio – www.freepik.com

If your dentist has advised that you get braces, not only will they enhance the aesthetic of your smile, but your oral health will benefit too. Straighter teeth can improve your self-esteem and confidence, but most importantly, keep your teeth and gums in tip-top condition.

Before undergoing orthodontic treatment, here are just some of the ways braces can transform your smile and overall oral health.

Cleaner Teeth

Regardless of whether you’re brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing, your teeth still may not feel and look squeaky clean at the end. If you have crooked teeth, they can overlap one another, which increases the risk of food becoming trapped between the teeth and gums. The longer food stays in between teeth, the more plaque buildup you’ll encounter, which can lead to all sorts of nasty problems, like gingivitis and periodontal disease. When you undergo orthodontic treatment, braces can align your teeth, which will help you give your teeth and gums a thorough clean.

Better Checkups

When you have a dentist appointment coming up, you may be filled with dread and anxiety. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of people have a fear of the dentist. However, for the appointment to run smoothly, you need to be taking excellent care of your teeth and gums. When you have braces and finish treatment, you will have better checkups. This is because cleaning will be easier, meaning there’s a lower risk of decay and tooth loss. Once your teeth are aligned, there will be less chance of you needing a filling or root canal too, meaning you won’t have to worry about needles or pain.

Boosts Self-Confidence

If you’re not happy with the way your teeth look, this can seriously knock your self-confidence. For those who keep their lips firmly shut on photos, you may look unapproachable to others, which can hinder personal and professional relationships. Whether you’re about to head on a first date or go for a job interview, your smile can say a lot about you and your character. When getting braces, your teeth will move into place, leaving you with a straighter smile. This can transform the way you feel about yourself, giving you a much-needed confidence boost.

Treats TMJ

For those who suffer from persistent jaw pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) could be to blame. Common symptoms of TMD include a clicking or popping sound when you move your mouth. This can be a hindrance in your day-to-day life, so if you want to treat the disorder, braces may be the route to go down. If you believe you may have TMD, it’s important to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. They can advise whether braces would be appropriate for your needs.

Corrects Your Bite

If you have a misaligned jaw (malocclusion), this can affect your bite and result in jaw pain. When eating and even speaking, you may experience discomfort, which can be a nuisance. You may not realise it, but the position of your teeth can have a surprising impact on your speech in some cases. If you have a misaligned jaw, it may be worth considering braces, as they will shift your jaw back into place. Whether you have an overbite or underbite, both can make it difficult to speak clearly and chew your food properly. As you navigate through braces treatment, you should notice a positive difference in your speech and how you chew food.

Reduces Mouth Pain

When your mouth isn’t feeling clean and healthy, you’ll know about it. This is because you’ll feel it every waking hour. When your teeth are misaligned, this can add extra stress to your mouth and cause pressure. Should you opt for braces, they can relieve pressure, as well as protect your teeth and gums from further damage. When you have mouth pain, you should never ignore it. You only have one set of adult teeth, so it’s your job to take excellent care of them. If you decide on getting braces, any pain or discomfort you experience should subside once treatment is finished.

The Next Step

Once you’re ready to look into teeth braces, it can feel overwhelming and you might not know where to start. While many people opt for traditional, fixed braces, others like the idea of clear braces that are invisible to the naked eye. Straight My Teeth has a guide on how do braces work, as well as how much clear braces are. Whatever treatment you decide on having, you’ll need to arrange your finances to foot the bill.

To avoid further dental problems later down the line, getting braces can not only give you a more beautiful smile but improve your oral health too. For treatment to be a success, make sure you pick a reputable dentist who can carry out treatment, and leave you with the smile you’ve always dreamed of.