Ways Orthodontic Treatment Goes Beyond a Beautiful Smile
by Lonnie Bryant
When some people think of tooth restoration therapy through orthodontics, they mainly assume that this is done for the simple purpose of making your teeth appear attractive. Although orthodontic treatment does work to give you straight teeth, the underlying reason is not just for cosmetic purposes. In fact, tooth straightening has an integral function of maintaining your health for the long term too. Below are some of the ways that orthodontic treatment goes beyond a beautiful smile.
Orthodontics enhance breathing and chewing
If the arrangement of your teeth is in jeopardy, standard functions such as chewing and breathing can easily be impeded. For instance, crooked teeth can make it challenging to masticate correctly, which means you are probably ingesting half-chewed food. As a result, you could also be putting your digestive system at risk. In addition to this, improper jaw alignment due to crowding of teeth can also make it harder for you to breathe through your mouth. Seeking orthodontic treatment gives you the chance to correct the problems that are affecting your eating and breathing capabilities.
Orthodontics eliminate crowding of your teeth
People who are experiencing alignment problems with their jaws will almost always develop crowded teeth too. The reason behind this subsequent disorder is that the teeth do not have room to grow straight. Thus, they begin to grow inward or sideways, and this eventually leads to crowding. To remedy this problem, your dentist may have to start with extracting some of the teeth to make room on your jaws. Orthodontic treatment then follows this step, typically in the form of metal braces, to make sure the teeth can grow in an aligned manner. Crowded teeth do not only appear unattractive, but they also can cause the patient debilitating pain and irreparable oral deformities.
Orthodontics can remedy an abnormal bite
Issues with your bite is another typical problem that manifests when your teeth are not growing at an appropriate angle. Bite issues typical come to the fore in your younger years. They can be caused by thumb sucking or the extended use of a pacifier. It should also be noted that you can develop bite issues simply due to genetics or if you have a large jaw. From underbites to overbites, you will find that you become vulnerable to cavities, gingivitis and even temporomandibular jaw disorder when your bite is not aligned. It is imperative to address an abnormal bite to minimise your risk of developing subsequent dental problems that can severely impact your health.
For more information, contact a local orthodontics clinic.
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About Me
There are more than two ways to straighten a smile, and in this blog, I plan to discuss them all. I plan to look at the differences between braces and retainers and explain why sometimes you may need them both. I look at the differences in cost, time commitment and efficacy. Personally, I have had a bit of experience with this subject – I had braces as a young teen, and I had a permanent retainer. In this blog, I discuss what I have learned, and I present all kinds of new information on the topic. Whether you are trying to make decisions for yourself or your child. I hope you find this information useful.