Braces are the most common orthodontic treatment for improving teeth and bite alignment. This process applies gentle pressure to help change your smile’s shape and appearance. Crooked teeth create tight spaces that become safe havens for plaque, fostering tooth decay and gum disease. Correcting these issues with braces helps improve oral hygiene habits, reducing your risk for future health concerns.

Improved Appearance

For many people, the main reason they wear braces is to improve their smile. Crooked teeth, gapping and other misalignments can cause a muddled appearance that impacts self-esteem and confidence.

Modern braces are smaller and more discreet than their predecessors, featuring a sleek profile that blends in with the natural teeth. They are also designed to eliminate the tight spaces where food particles can hide, reducing your risk for oral health problems like gum disease and tooth decay.

Straighter teeth also contribute to improved facial symmetry and balance. In addition, they make it easier to speak and pronounce words clearly, preventing slurring and other speech problems. Correction of jaw misalignments with braces can alleviate pain and discomfort in the joints. In turn, this will improve your overall quality of life.

Better Bite Function

A properly aligned bite distributes chewing pressure evenly, reducing stress on teeth and minimizing damage. It also creates an ideal environment for maintaining dental work such as crowns and bridges.

Crooked or misaligned teeth can cause tight spaces where bacteria thrive, increasing the risk of gum disease. Braces help correct these alignment issues, improving the health of your mouth over time.

A well-aligned bite can also improve speech clarity, boosting confidence in social and professional settings. In addition, an attractive smile can boost self-esteem, positively impacting overall life quality.

Prevents Tooth Damage

The process of moving teeth requires a delicate balance between the forces acting on each tooth and the bone around them. If these elements are not managed carefully, it can damage or break the tooth.

Broken teeth may require more time to heal, and they can also become prone to cavities or gum disease. This makes it important to maintain proper oral hygiene with brushing and flossing, avoiding sugary foods, using mouthwash, and visiting your dentist for regular cleanings.

Braces help correct malocclusions, which include overcrowded or crooked teeth. This not only improves your smile but also reduces the risk of future dental problems like tooth decay or gum disease. While it may take longer to clean your teeth when you have braces, it is well worth the extra effort.

Reduces Tooth Sensitivity

The brackets and wires that make up braces can cause temporary tooth sensitivity, but this discomfort should only last a few days. If sensitivity continues, it could be a sign of other dental issues.

Crooked teeth and a misaligned bite can put excess strain on your jaw joints, leading to pain when you eat or speak. Braces help to correct these problems and align your bite, which can relieve your jaw pain.

A lack of proper oral hygiene can also lead to tooth sensitivity, as food and drinks can get trapped in between teeth. To avoid this, patients should practice good oral hygiene and brush with a soft toothbrush and use mouthwash to remove any bacteria build-ups. Additionally, avoiding acidic foods and drinks like citrus fruits, soda, and sweets can reduce tooth sensitivity.

Prevents Gum Disease

Gum disease occurs when bacteria irritate gum tissue, usually in the form of swollen, red, and bleeding gums (gingivitis). It’s possible to get braces if you have mild gingivitis, but it can cause problems if it worsens during treatment.

It’s hard to brush and floss effectively when you have braces, so food particles stay trapped and generate bacterial plaque that irritates gums and eventually leads to gum recession. Gum recession leaves tooth roots exposed, which makes them vulnerable to decay and other problems.

Straightening teeth and fixing bites with braces prevents gum disease by making it easier to clean your teeth and reduce bacterial plaque. It also helps you avoid consuming sugary foods that encourage plaque formation. In some cases, orthodontic treatment can help reverse early stage gum disease before it advances to periodontitis.