4 Ways Braces Improve Oral Health

Braces and Oral Health DemonstrationMost people see braces as only a cosmetic treatment. They feel that how straight their teeth are isn’t all that important.

But can braces make a difference in more than just looks? Dr. Farooq Ahmad shares four ways braces can improve your oral health for the better:

1. Improved Oral Hygiene
Straighter teeth are easier to floss and brush. They collect less buildup and stain than crooked teeth do. Even professional dental cleanings will be easier for you after orthodontic treatment.

As an added bonus, your smile will look so good that you’ll find the extra motivation to keep it clean and healthy!

2. Fewer Cavities
How do braces lower your cavity risk?

Overlapping teeth trap bacteria and acid in-between each other. When teeth are so tightly crammed together, it’s harder to floss them and keep them clean. Your saliva naturally helps to rinse bacteria off of teeth, but unless teeth are evenly spaced out, they’ll never be properly cleaned.

3. Healthier Gums

Crowding means debris and gum-irritating germs get stuck between teeth and under the gumlines, causing infection. Inflamed tissues and affected areas are harder to treat when teeth are crooked, making them far more likely to develop periodontal disease. Straightening out your teeth makes it easier for your gums to stay healthy.

4. Less Stress on Your Mouth

Wait, aren’t braces all about stress and pressure? You wouldn’t usually associate braces with comfort!

Straightening out your teeth with braces can reduce a lot of harmful tension. If a tooth is badly tipped out of position, biting on it could eventually stress it to the point of fracture. At the least, the poorly positioned tooth can damage the bone and gums around it. When your bite is off for any reason, this strains your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) as well – which can cause serious problems.

Schedule a Consultation Today
Braces aren’t just for kids and teens! Find out more about the great benefits of braces for everyone, including adults, by planning a visit to Brackets, Wires & Smiles. A consultation with Dr. Ahmad here in Vista will help you discover whether braces are right for you.