Many people associate orthodontic work with transforming the aesthetics of a person’s smile. While that is a great and popular reason to receive braces treatment, it is not the only reason! Orthodontic treatment can drastically boost your overall physical health, too! The following are the team at Clauss Orthodontic’s top 5 health benefits of straight teeth.
Easier To Maintain Oral Health
Malocclusion (improperly aligned teeth) can make oral hygiene a daily challenge. Overcrowding creates hard-to-reach nooks and crannies that allow bacteria and food to build up. Over time, these hidden threats could cause bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, infections, and other issues. If left untreated, oral health concerns have the potential to cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums, including (but not limited to) tooth loss!
Crowded and rotated teeth can also rub against each other in unintended ways, creating premature wear and damage to the teeth.
This constant friction strips down the enamel, your teeth’s built-in protection against tooth decay. Damage to your enamel is permanent, and without sufficient enamel, your teeth are more vulnerable to threats against their well-being. However, there are some things you can do to strengthen your remaining enamel or even reverse early signs of tooth decay (such as using fluoride-containing dental products).
Maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums can result in a lower risk of oral health concerns. When your teeth are straighter, it is easier to clean your teeth and gums thoroughly, as well as protect your enamel.
Minimizes Breathing Difficulties
Teeth and jaw alignment issues can be associated with narrow air passageways. Improper jaw alignment can lead to mouth breathing (which could lead to dry mouth) or possibly sleep apnea. Dry mouth can make eating difficult and increase your chances of infections and sores, and disrupted sleep can leave you tired and irritable during the day.
Orthodontic treatment can help put your teeth and jaw in more favorable positions which can lead to a noticeable improvement in your breathing.
Prevents Digestive Issues
The mouth is the first stop in your body’s digestive system, and your teeth’s alignment can play a significant role in its effectiveness!
Besides giving you a dazzling smile, the main job of your teeth is to break down food before swallowing. Thoroughly chewing food before swallowing is not only crucial in preventing choking, but also helps by making it easier for your body to absorb the needed nutrients as efficiently as possible. Inadequately chewed food can promote indigestion, bloating, constipation, and intestinal gas. Bad breath and heartburn are also side effects of a struggling digestive system.
Misaligned teeth can make chewing food more difficult. Eating can quickly become uncomfortable or frustrating due to spacing or crowding of teeth, making it strenuous to chew correctly. If you associate eating with negative emotions, you might become at risk of developing unhealthy eating habits, which can lead to malnutrition.
Orthodontic care can help make mealtime and snack time much more enjoyable and beneficial!
Minimizes Pain
The pain that mispositioned teeth can create in the jaw can also spread to your neck and head. Abnormal jaw function or other bite issues can lead to headaches and possibly even migraines. If not improved, this tension can develop into TMJ, an uncomfortable condition that stems from your jaw being unable to open and close correctly.
Gum disease, tooth decay, TMJ, and digestive issues all have the potential to cause varying degrees of discomfort and pain. Fortunately, however, you can avoid most of these conditions and minimize their symptoms with appropriate dental and orthodontic care.
Visit Clauss Orthodontics To Learn How Straight Teeth Can Benefit You
At Clauss Orthodontics, we know that health concerns are not as straightforward as they may seem, and causes for symptoms can be complex. However, we also know that straight teeth can help to decrease the possibility of many of the conditions and issues mentioned above.
We would love to talk about orthodontics with you and discuss how orthodontic care can specifically benefit you! To find out which treatment you qualify for and how it can positively impact your life, contact our Watertown or Middlebury offices to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Clauss! In the meantime, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about us before your appointment!