If you are an adult with misaligned teeth, you may be considering the pros and cons of receiving orthodontic treatment. Straight teeth are certainly considered more attractive; however, there are additional benefits of having properly aligned teeth. Here are a few of them:
Improvements in Your Bite
Orthodontic treatments not only correct the appearance of crooked teeth, they also properly align your bite. The bite is the way that the teeth of your upper palate fit over those of the lower palate when you close your mouth. If there are large spaces in your bite along the sides or in the front, your ability to chew your food properly can suffer.
Additionally, bite misalignments can cause jaw pain. Thus, it can be uncomfortable to simply chew your food or even yawn. In some instances, jaw problems can result in chronic disorders, such as TMJ and lockjaw.
Bite misalignments are also associated with speech problems. Sometimes, the bite problem is indicative of a jaw misalignment from differences in the sizes of the upper and lower palates. The dentist may use an expander to help make a palate wider so that the upper and lower teeth align better.
Expanding the palate can lessen snoring and improve problems with the sinuses and ears that could result from misaligned jaws. You may even be able to breathe better after the bite correction.
Cleaner Teeth
People who suffer from dental misalignments sometimes have teeth that are crowded. Crowded teeth can be more difficult to clean. Dental floss may not easily fit into the interdental spaces. Additionally, as you brush, portions of one tooth may be hidden behind another due to the overlapping configuration.
In the areas that the toothbrush and floss cannot reach, plaque can accumulate. As the oral bacteria in the plaque build-up, the concentration of decay-causing acids also increases. These acids are also inflammatory to the gums, inciting gum disease.
Once the teeth are properly aligned, brushing and flossing automatically becomes easier. However, it is important not to neglect proper oral care, even during your treatment with an orthodontic appliance. Extra care must be taken to navigate around the appliance as you brush and floss. If braces are used to straighten the teeth, the dentist may provide small brushes that are similar to pipe cleaners to clean around the wires and brackets.
If you are interested in having the alignment of your teeth corrected, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.
If you are tired of coming down with dental problems, the problem might not be your toothpaste. Instead, it could be your habits tied to your dental care. Aggressive brushers, people who have a tendency to forget, and even people who are flossing improperly could be left with serious dental issues, which is why it really pays to focus on mastering the small things. From moving forward with a better brushing routine to doing what you can to identify and resolve ongoing decay, making your dental health a priority is instrumental in preventing pain and added budgetary strains. Check out this blog to find out more.