Beyond the Cosmetic Benefits of Braces

Orthodontic braces are a treatment option that many patients experience during their youth. That’s because there is a period of time after you lose your baby teeth when your jaw and teeth are still growing and shifting to a large degree. Orthodontic braces are designed to gently push and pull your teeth into alignment. You may think mostly about the cosmetic benefits of braces. Who doesn’t want a straight, even smile? But orthodontic braces actually come with many more benefits than the cosmetic improvements alone. Here’s why this treatment can be so important to some individuals.

Straighter Teeth Are Easier to Clean

Straight teeth look better in photos, but they’re also much easier to clean. Think about all of the surfaces of your teeth and how difficult some of them are to reach. That’s why you need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. When your teeth experience crowding, overlap, and misalignment, it can create surfaces that are nearly impossible to reach with at-home care. That puts the misaligned teeth at a higher risk for developing cavities. Straightened teeth are easier to keep healthy with proper home care.

A Properly Aligned Bite Won’t Cause Premature Wear on Your Teeth

Another benefit of orthodontic braces that you might not know about has to do with the alignment of your bite. The positioning of your jaw and teeth are actually delicately balanced. When one of them is out of alignment, it can cause undue stress and pressure on the other teeth. If certain molars are responsible for more of the workload while chewing, it can cause those teeth to wear down at a rate well in advance of when they would naturally wear down. This can lead to pain while chewing, or the need for dental prosthetics.

How Do Braces Deliver These Benefits?

The benefits — both practical and cosmetic — of orthodontic braces make them an important treatment option for many patients. How do braces actually deliver these results? Constant, gentle pressure. The bracket and wire braces system will consistently push or pull the teeth in your mouth into the proper positioning. This is why your braces need to be adjusted every so often. It’s also why treatment timetables often range between 12 and 24 months. Being patient and diligent during this treatment can be tough, but it’s crucial to the overall success of said treatment.

Choose Orthodontic Braces at Rodem Tree Dental

During your orthodontic consultation at Rodem Tree Dental, a professional will evaluate your orthodontic needs to determine what kind of alignment treatment is right for your individual case. Schedule an initial appointment with Rodem Tree Dental in Rowlett, TX by calling the office at 972-475-2321.