Are you debating braces treatment for you or your child? Wondering if it’s worth all of that just for a pretty smile? Braces do a lot more than just create a pretty smile. They fix problems with your teeth and bite that can affect your oral health for years.
Smith & Davis Orthodontics knows there is more to braces treatment than a pretty smile. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, wear down less quickly, bite and chew better, and prevent excess stress on the jaws that can cause headaches, neck aches, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD).
We know that orthodontic treatment can improve self-esteem with the new aesthetics at any age, but it’s also about far more than the look of your teeth. It’s about improving your oral and overall health in a way that lasts a lifetime.
How Tooth and Jaw Alignment Affect Oral Health
How can straight teeth affect your health? Straight teeth are easier to clean compared to crooked teeth. That means you have a lower risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
That also reduces the risk of abscesses and infections that can affect your oral and overall health. You can lose teeth from gum disease, as well as bone from the jaw. That’s why it’s so important to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Speaking of overall health, you may not think that healthy teeth can affect the rest of your body, but they do! Healthy teeth allow you to chew your food properly, which is the start of the digestive process.
Food that is not properly chewed makes the stomach and intestines work harder, which can contribute to digestive discomfort, including indigestion and gas. It can also prevent your body from absorbing nutrients properly, which can affect your overall health.
Long-Term Benefits of Braces for Bite and Jaw Health
Your teeth are designed to fit together a certain way. When they are out of place, they exert excessive pressure on the teeth they connect to. This can lead to excessive tooth wear over time, as well as chips, breaks, and cracks in your teeth.
It also causes excessive pressure on your jaws. This can cause the joint between them, the temporomandibular joint, to wear down. A misaligned bite may contribute to jaw discomfort and TMD symptoms in some patients, including jaw fatigue and pain, headaches, neck aches, and jaw popping. Correcting the bite can help reduce that excess strain, though orthodontic treatment is not a universal solution for all TMJ-related issues.
These symptoms and excessive wear tend to get worse over time, so the sooner your teeth are addressed, the less damage is done. This is why we encourage parents to bring their children in for an orthodontic consultation by age 7.
The Aesthetics and Your Mental Health
Improving the look of your teeth is about more than just the aesthetics. At Smith & Davis Orthodontics, we’ve seen the boost in self-esteem our patients get from a beautiful, new smile. It’s good for your mental and emotional health.
Your smile is your best first impression, and how great would it feel to make an amazing first impression every time with an amazing smile! Orthodontic treatment can provide a meaningful mental and emotional boost that positively affects your overall well-being.
The Benefits of Braces for Adults
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for teenagers. Adults make up a quarter of orthodontic patients today, and the long-term benefits of braces are just as real at any age. For adults who already have jaw pain, crooked teeth, or a misaligned bite, treatment can help reduce those symptoms and make it easier to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy over the long term. That means keeping your natural teeth longer and avoiding more extensive dental work down the road.
FAQs About Braces Treatment Timing
Is orthodontic treatment good for your oral health?
Are there long-term benefits to treatment with braces or clear aligners?
Does orthodontic treatment help with jaw pain?
Will orthodontic treatment benefit me as an adult?
Can adults get treatment with braces or clear aligners?
Orthodontic Treatment in Rogers, AR
Treatment with braces or Invisalign can be life-changing at any age. Such treatment can improve your oral, overall, mental, and emotional health.
Do you have questions about treatment with braces or Invisalign in Northwest Arkansas? Schedule a free consultation with Smith & Davis Orthodontics in Rogers, AR. We’d love to show you the possibilities!
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