Dr Michael Smith D.M.D.

Health Benefits of Wearing Braces

There is no doubt that you have seen someone wearing braces. You may even need them yourself, in which case you should consider an orthodontist to ensure that your teeth are properly cared for. The research report from some of the most reliable sources claims that most people wearing braces are in their early teens. In recent years, getting your teeth straightened by wearing braces has become more popular with adults. Either way, we reveal the health benefits of wearing braces in this article.

There are a wide variety of treatments offered by an orthodontist to give people a healthy and straight smile, but they have to remember to use a night guard after treatment otherwise all that work will come undone. For 3D printed night guards, visit https://www.myorthoselect.com/splints. Wearing braces, however, does more than that! Your dentist will recommend wearing them to correct under-bite, overbite, and other jaw misalignment, perhaps when you are still young. The point here is to move the teeth slowly and gradually to a better position (straight teeth) to improve physical appearance besides preventing a variety of diseases. And so, the reasons for wearing braces are more than just cosmetic! There are a plethora of health benefits of wearing braces as explained below:

1). Braces prevent the development of tooth cavities and tooth decay

If your teeth are not straight, then it means there are some spaces in between where food particles accumulate. Despite the fact that you are brushing and flossing your teeth every day, they may not be cleaned properly which leads to bacteria infestation. As we all know, these are the culprits that cause acid buildup that leads to enamel degradation and cavity development. With continued wearing down of the enamel, eventually, you will develop severe tooth decay and cavities. Fortunately, braces align the teeth and leave fewer crevices for bacteria accumulation.

2). Braces play a great role in preventing gum disease

A serious health concern with your mouth is gum disease. This condition occurs if you are not taking good care of your gums and teeth. If your teeth are not straight, food and other particles get lodged in between, causing plaque � a state that leads to gum disease. The good news is that braces can space out your teeth properly, so it is easier to brush or floss in between them. In other words, straight teeth are typically much easier to clean. Therefore, it is less likely that food will accumulate without your notice if you are performing general dental care and maintenance.

3). Straight teeth support healthy gums

The function of the gums is to cover the jawbone and support the teeth in your mouth. As explained previously, tooth decay occurs frequently in people with crooked teeth. The decay can advance to cause severe disease like gum disease, which further leads to jaw bone loss and tooth loss. Braces on teeth ensure that your gums are healthy, translating to an overall healthy mouth.

4). Straight teeth reduce stress to the jaw bone

When your teeth are crowded or crooked, the functionality of the jawbone is often compromised. Your jaw is not properly aligned during biting and chewing, and it is even more difficult to floss. This often leads to other dental health problems like outright pain, discomfort, and the most severe one is the wearing down of the teeth. Braces help attain straight teeth, which in turn improves biting, chewing, and speaking abilities, thus reducing stress on your jawbone.

5) A healthy mouth upholds a healthy body

Based on the reports from medical and dental experts, there is clear evidence that poor oral health may lead to a variety of other health conditions. For instance, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease have been associated with gum disease. By now, you know how braces help stop or prevent gum disease! Without a doubt, wearing braces ensures that you have a healthy mouth, which goes a long way in ensuring you have a healthy body.

Now you know the reasons for wearing braces goes beyond the aesthetic concerns as there are a plethora of health benefits associated with the practice. You may be thinking that your crowded or crooked teeth may not be corrected because you are now an adult, but there are excellent orthodontists out there who can straighten your teeth with braces. Having straight teeth does not only help improve a smile, but it improves your overall health too.