Of course, when kids, teens, or adults get braces, they want beautiful, straight teeth. After all, that’s what everyone sees when you smile. It’s important for your self-esteem and your overall appearance. There are several other reasons why getting orthodontic treatment is important, though, that you may never have considered.
Straight teeth are much easier to brush and floss. The plaque that forms on teeth (and that eventually becomes tartar if it can’t be cleaned) can become trapped between your teeth, making it difficult to clean unless done by a dental hygienist at a regular visit at your dentist’s office. Once sticky plaque sits on your teeth for a while, it hardens and becomes tartar. The appearance of tartar is serious because it can cause gum inflammation (gingivitis), which can eventually become periodontitis, a serious gum infection. When your teeth are straight, brushing and flossing become much easier, and you’re less likely to have lingering plaque or tartar on your teeth.
A bad bite—caused by gapped teeth, crowded teeth, crossbite, or overbite, can affect more than just your mouth. It can make it difficult to chew properly, which can cause your teeth to wear down unevenly if they are not meeting at the right point when you’re eating. A bad bite can also cause the jawbone to ache due to too much pressure when chewing.
Another area that’s affected by crooked teeth is your speech. To talk, you use your tongue and your teeth to form sounds and words. Teeth that aren’t in the proper place can make it hard to make clear sounds. Once your teeth are in the correct position, your speech will become clear.
Your digestion will likely improve after your teeth are straightened. That’s because you’ll be able to chew properly, breaking down the food before it enters your stomach and intestines. We’ve helped many patients who have experienced some form of gastric distress. After they wore braces or Invisalign, their digestive problems disappeared.
If you or your child would like to learn more about the overall benefits of wearing braces or Invisalign, call King Orthodontics today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We help adults and kids who need to wear braces!