A straighter smile is just one of the benefits of braces from our Reading orthodontists! In fact, there are plenty of other surprising benefits traditional braces can provide, from preventing gum disease to reducing cavities.
Preventing Cavities & Tooth Decay
When your teeth aren’t properly cleaned, bacteria can find its way into the small crevices between your teeth. This is especially common in teeth that are crooked because brushing is slightly harder. When bacteria accumulate, acid builds up and wears down the enamel of your teeth. With your tooth’s protective barrier destroyed, decay is more likely. Braces help straighten teeth, making thorough brushing and flossing much easier!
Stopping Bad Bites
When teeth aren’t aligned properly, eating is both difficult and sometimes painful. This misalignment can cause a “bad bite,” in which your teeth don’t overlap properly. This not only leads to biting your cheeks or lips and teeth grinding, but also the wearing down of your jaw, which can lead to tooth loss.
Preventing Injury
Cracked or protruding teeth are dangerous, especially for children. With such active lifestyles, children are more likely to be involved in minor accidents, like slipping and falling. In a small fall, something like a protruding tooth can cause painful damage to the lips, cheeks, or mouth. Protruding or cracked teeth are also a concern during sports like football, basketball, or soccer. When braces straighten teeth, they help prevent these injuries.
Improving Digestion
With crooked or misaligned teeth, eating can be difficult or even painful. Everyone should be able to enjoy their favorite foods. But painful or difficult chewing means that you may be more prone to eating large bites, instead of tiny ones. Your body has to work harder to digest larger portions of food, which may upset your stomach. With straighter teeth, you can eat more of the foods you want and have an easier time digesting them.
Helping Speech Impediments
Crooked teeth can impact the way you speak, making it difficult to pronounce certain words or sounds. This may make some feel embarrassed or nervous, especially when it comes to speaking in front of groups of people. Straighter teeth help to eliminate speech impediments and make speaking easier.
Braces won’t only help you smile a little brighter, but feel a little better! Braces provide tremendous improvements to your health and lifestyle. If you or your loved one has been considering braces, schedule a consultation with our team of Reading orthodontists. We also offer braces in Allentown, Easton, Exton, Blandon, and Lansdale.