Who doesn’t desire aligned teeth and a pretty smile? While braces ensure straighter teeth and enhanced appearance, they come with a host of surprising medical benefits, too! From prevention of tooth decay, gum disease, and cavity to improvement in oral health and better digestion, here are some of the long-term medical benefits of braces.

Benefits of Braces

Improved Bite

A bad bite causes problems while eating as the teeth don’t fit together correctly. Gaps among poorly aligned teeth or missing teeth hinder the digestion process, as it impacts the ability to break down food efficiently. If not treated on time, a misaligned bite can lead to a tired jaw, jaw pain leading to headaches, TMJ disorder, or loss of more teeth! All of these have complicated medical and dental treatments. Luckily, one of the many medical benefits of getting braces is realigning poor bites and crooked teeth.

Enhanced Digestive Health

Teeth play a crucial role in digestion before the food reaches your stomach. Teeth break down and digest the food partially in the mouth itself. Therefore, if your teeth are misaligned, you’ll have difficulty chewing your food correctly. Large food chunks will enter directly into the stomach. This can lead to irritable bowel movements, intestinal distress, and other discomforts. Braces can rescue you from these issues through optimal alignment of teeth that will help you chew better, ultimately aiding the digestion process.

Gum Disease Prevention

Food particles and plaque get trapped easily in the gaps between misaligned or crooked teeth. These then become breeding grounds for bacteria, resulting in gum infections. Gum diseases (gingivitis or severe periodontal disease) are primarily caused due to an infection in the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. These diseases can be troublesome if you avoid the upkeep of your teeth and gums. Wearing braces, therefore, helps in the prevention of gum disease. Since braces give you even teeth, they are easier to clean with floss and a toothbrush. This means lesser bacteria-breeding particles get trapped between the teeth, as they can be promptly removed before leading to any gum disease.

Tooth Decay Prevention

Similar to the gum disease scenario, wearing braces significantly reduces one’s chances of developing tooth decay. When teeth overlap or are misaligned, they are difficult to clean and at the risk of uneven wear and tear. Moreover, bacteria multiply and flourish between such teeth and eat away the enamel (outer covering of the tooth), causing tooth decay. Using braces keeps tooth decay at bay by making it easier for us to clean and maintain our teeth.

Bone Erosion Prevention

Misaligned teeth can lead to bone loss or jawbone erosion! If you are wondering how, every tooth has roots that connect them with the jawbone. Just as the bacteria adversely affect the gums and teeth, it can erode and wear down the bone if it penetrates down to the roots!

Misaligned teeth, or the absence of a tooth, puts extra pressure on gums and teeth, creating enough space for microbes to thrive and reach out to bones. Braces alleviate pressure from the jaws by supporting the tissues and nerves in the mouth. Once the braces settle the teeth and bone in their apt spot, the bones start to rebuild naturally.

Better Oral Health

Braces can straighten crowded and misaligned teeth, which are otherwise hard to clean as they’re out of the reach of the brush’s bristles. The resultant bacteria build up can lead to periodontal disease and cavities. With braces, you can therefore straighten the crowded teeth and ensure your daily regime of brushing and flossing covers them too.

Moreover, as braces require better care while brushing and flossing around wires and brackets, one’s daily oral care regime is boosted—a good habit that will last a lifetime!

Better Speech Quality

Teeth affect our speaking patterns and play a significant role in our speech. Misaligned teeth and gaps can cause several speech issues, including whistling sounds while talking, difficulty in pronunciation of consonants, and word slurring. These speech hindrances can lead to self-consciousness, embarrassment, and a myriad of mental health issues. Fortunately, braces can help in dealing with such speech impediments. Realignment of the teeth makes enough room for the tongue and its easy movement.

Do I Need Braces?

Are you unable to decide whether to opt for braces or not? Go through our checklist and decide for yourself!

●     your jawline hurts after chewing food

●     your teeth look crowded or crooked

●     you frequently bite your tongue

●     you face difficulty in flossing and brushing your teeth

●     your teeth fail to set over each other when your mouth is resting

●     you have difficulty pronouncing certain letters or words due to your tongue’s position under your teeth

●     you breathe through your mouth a lot
 

If you answered yes to some or all of the above, then it might be the right time to request an appointment.

Do Braces Hurt?

Your orthodontist might take about an hour or two to put on the braces. Soon after they are put on, you may experience pain, soreness in gums and teeth, or other discomforts. However, all the pain and discomfort should last only for a week.

While your orthodontist will prescribe certain medications for brace-related pain, you can also opt for over-the-counter painkillers. Avoid consuming chewy foods such as popcorn and gum, and hard or sticky candy in the first week or so, until you get used to the braces. Instead, you can eat soft foods like yogurt, oatmeal, soup, smoothies, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, soft fruits (berries, bananas), ice cream, and cold drinks. Remember to pick drinks with high calcium levels and less sugar or additives when choosing cold beverages.

It might take about a month for you to get used to the braces, and it is normal to observe soreness in the jaw from time to time.

The Wrap Up

Braces can help you solve several oral health problems. Getting this orthodontic treatment can help you save both time and money in the long run. To know more about braces, get in touch with us at Gateway Family Dentistry. You can also visit us at 413 N THOMPSON LN, MURFREESBORO, TN 37219, or call us on (615) 962-8505!