The orthodontic treatment goes beyond straightening your teeth – it can also significantly impact oral health.
Crooked or crowded teeth can lead to various dental problems, including tooth decay and gum disease. By correcting malocclusion, Austin orthodontics treatment can prevent these problems and protect your oral health for years.
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Straight Teeth
Teeth that are crooked or misaligned can create little spaces between teeth that bacteria love to thrive in. This causes plaque to build up and eventually lead to tooth decay.
When this happens, you cannot remove as much plaque with brushing and flossing as you would with straight teeth.
You will also likely develop gingivitis with crooked or misaligned teeth. This is a reversible condition, but if left untreated, it can become more severe and cause gum disease, a serious health issue.
Having perfectly aligned teeth will help reduce the stress on your jaw muscles and joints. This can help to eliminate a lot of TMJ disorder symptoms.
Reduced Chance of Tooth Decay
Aside from the aesthetics, teeth that have been straightened by orthodontic treatment will have a better chance of maintaining their enamel. This is because uneven contact between your teeth can wear away at specific points, reducing the thickness of the enamel and increasing your risk for tooth decay.
Dental plaque can also build up on orthodontic hardware, such as wires, brackets, expanders, springs, and elastics, making cleaning your teeth difficult. Trapped food particles can mix with bacteria, sugar, and acids, creating the perfect conditions for developing cavities.
Better Oral Hygiene
One of the best things about braces is that it can greatly improve oral hygiene. Because orthodontic appliances like brackets, bands, and retainers make cleaning your teeth and gums harder, you must take extra care when brushing and flossing.
While your orthodontist can provide you with tools for oral hygiene, like specialized toothbrushes and special dental floss, it is still up to you to maintain good oral health. You should brush your teeth twice daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep your teeth and gums healthy during treatment.
Using an antibacterial mouthwash helps to kill bacteria and re-mineralize your teeth. This extra layer of protection will protect you against gum disease and tooth decay throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Reduced Risk of Gum Disease
A new study published in the journal Oral Biology suggests that orthodontic treatment may help reduce your risk of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year.
It is caused by a buildup of plaque on teeth and gums. This bacterial deposit harms your gums’ health, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding.
Your dentist or dental hygienist can remove plaque from your teeth and gums during regular checkups and cleanings.
If left untreated, gum disease can lead to other health issues, such as heart problems and diabetes.
Orthodontic treatment can reduce your risk of developing gum disease, as it helps to straighten and improve your bite. It also improves oral hygiene, making it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Improved Self-Esteem
Having misaligned or crooked teeth can have a big impact on your self-esteem. People with these issues often become self-conscious about their smiles, making them cover their mouths when laughing or even avoiding speaking in front of others.
Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can correct these problems and boost your confidence. The results will give you a straight and healthy-looking smile, which can improve your social interactions.
