Okay, so let’s talk braces.
When most people think of orthodontic treatment, they think it’s completely cosmetic. Who wouldn’t want a straighter smile? Cool pictures. More confidence.
But do straighter teeth really help you that much?
Yes.
And here’s the thing…
Braces can actually provide a ton of health benefits that go far beyond the aesthetics of a straighter smile. Better digestion, lower chances of gum disease, less irritation…you name it. Having orthodontic work done can improve your overall health in more ways than most people realize.
Oh, and here’s something else most people don’t think about…
Straight teeth make routine dental cleaning much more effective. Period. Teeth that aren’t crowded make it easier for your dentist to clean. They’re easier for you to brush and floss too.
Did you know that…
Approximately two-thirds of Americans suffer from some kind of malocclusion. Translation: they have crooked teeth.
And while those with misaligned teeth are typically more prone to health problems than those with straight teeth, you might not realize how they’re affected.
Food debris gets stuck around crooked teeth much easier than straight ones. Brushing and flossing daily can help, but if those hard-to-reach areas aren’t cleaned properly, they will lead to bigger problems (like cavities and gum disease).
Which is why routine dental cleaning is so important.
Finding affordable quality dental care and visiting your dentist for a checkup and cleaning is crucial whether you have crooked teeth or straight teeth. But when you have braces that make it easier to clean your teeth at home, your dental visits are even more effective.
Let’s look at it this way…
When your teeth are perfectly aligned, your dentist will have an easier time removing plaque buildup during your routine dental cleaning. Not to mention, you’ll spend less time in the chair because they won’t have to work quite as hard to get your teeth nice and clean.
That’s something a lot of people never consider.
When you think of braces, what comes to mind? Cost, style of brackets and jewelry, length of treatment…who knows?
But when the brackets come off and your teeth are finally straight, there are a ton of benefits you may never have considered.
Here’s what that means…
Straight teeth help you keep your teeth clean.
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly is a must, but even if you followed that routine prior to your braces, they still made brushing a pain. Braces create hard-to-reach spots where your brush can’t get.
Not only will straight teeth benefit your oral health, but your overall health as well!
Let’s take a look at a few other benefits of straight teeth:
Straight teeth have amazing benefits you probably wouldn’t think about. Not only will your teeth be healthier and cleaner after your braces are removed, but you’ll be able to maintain that beautiful smile for years to come by keeping up with routine dental cleaning and checkups.
Yikes. Gum disease.
This isn’t meant to scare you, but did you know that gum disease is one of the most prevalent issues our oral cavities face?
According to the CDC, nearly 42% of Americans over the age of 30 suffer from gum disease. Yes, you read that correctly. Nearly half of the adult population in the United States has gum disease.
Braces can help with that.
You might be wondering how braces can improve your oral health after they’re removed. They don’t!
Just like how brushing and flossing your teeth daily helps prevent things like cavities and gum disease, getting braces helps prevent those issues too!
Here’s how it works.
When you have gaps in your teeth or misaligned teeth, you are allowing bacteria to build up in those hard-to-reach areas. And when that happens, you’re soon to develop swollen, infected gums (aka gum disease).
Braces help eliminate those problem areas by straightening your teeth.
As mentioned before, straight teeth are MUCH easier to clean.
Not only will your dentist have an easier time getting your teeth clean when you come in for your routine dental cleaning, but you’ll have an easier time brushing and flossing at home!
Okay, this one sounds crazy.
Who knew straight teeth could help you digest your food properly?
When you have braces, your teeth are being forced to sit in a position that allows your teeth to fit together like they’re supposed to. And while it’s not recommended to chew your food extra just to test the theory, you would be surprised at how much misaligned teeth can affect your digestion.
When you chew your food, you’re breaking that food down so that it can be more accessible for your body to digest. When your teeth aren’t aligned properly, they aren’t breaking down your food like they should.
Braces can help with that.
So you got your braces removed. Congratulations!
You’re probably happy that you won’t have to deal with food getting stuck in your brackets and you’re able to brush and floss with ease. That’s great news, but there’s still something you need to do.
ROUTINE DENTAL CLEANINGS.
Think you’re off the hook just because your braces are gone? Think again.
When you have braces, your teeth are in those uncomfortable positions for a reason. They’re in those positions to move your teeth into where they’re supposed to be.
When you get your braces taken off, you must continue to see your dentist every 6 months for a routine dental cleaning. Why? Because your teeth could easily move back into that uncomfortable position you had them in to begin with.
If you don’t keep up with your routine dental cleaning, you’re more likely to:
Not only do routine dental cleanings help keep your teeth healthy, but they also help ensure that your teeth don’t move back to how they were before your braces.
Speaking of how they were before your braces…
Are you still wearing your retainer?
Approximately only half of patients wear their retainers as instructed after they receive their new and improved smile. Neglecting to wear your retainer will cause your teeth to shift – just like if you stopped coming in for your routine dental cleaning.
Getting braces does more than give you a straighter smile.
Not only will you be able to keep your teeth cleaner by brushing and flossing with ease, but you’ll reduce your chances of developing gum disease. You also improve your chances of digesting your food properly.
Just remember, don’t forget to keep up with your routine dental cleanings!
Alright, alright. Let’s recap all of the benefits you’ll receive when you get braces:
When you take care of your teeth both during and after your braces are removed, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of oral health.
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