Little Known Secondary Benefits Of Orthodontic Treatment

Most people know that the primary intent of braces is to straighten the teeth. After your orthodontic treatment is complete, you can look forward to a straighter smile. However, there are a number of other lesser-known benefits that braces can provide. Whether you choose metal brackets or the clear polyurethane plastic version, you may enjoy the following secondary benefits of teeth straightening once your orthodontic treatment is complete. 

Lower Risk For Decay And Gingivitis

While braces do not magically make your mouth cleaner, they do make it easier to clean your teeth, which may help fight tooth decay and gum disease. When your teeth are properly aligned as a result of your braces treatment, they will no longer be crowded or overlap.

Crowded or overlapping teeth make it difficult to properly clean your teeth, which allows plaque to accumulate on the surfaces of your teeth. After your teeth have been properly separated and are properly aligned, it will be easier to brush and floss the sides of your teeth, lowering your risk for cavities. In addition, bacteria can hide in between your teeth when they are crowded or overlapping. When this happens, the bacteria will start to multiply, not only damaging your tooth enamel, but also your gum tissue.

Speech Enhancement

If you have a malocclusion as a result of improper dental alignment, then you may be unable to properly form certain words. This can affect your pattern of speech and may be more common in people who have severe overbites or underbites.

When the jaw is misaligned, your tongue may not make the proper sounds when it makes contact with your teeth. Braces can align your teeth and correct bite problems so that when your tongue presses on your teeth when talking, the correct sounds will be elicited, enhancing your speech to make it clearer.

Although braces may not be able to correct severe speech abnormalities, they may be able to correct a lisp and improve word pronunciations. Your orthodontist will tell you how effective braces will be in managing your speech deficits. While braces can help correct certain speech impairments, your orthodontist may refer you to a speech therapist for further assessment and treatment.

If you have crowded or overlapping teeth, make an appointment with an orthodontist to learn more about the above benefits. Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, you can look forward to a straighter smile and better overall oral health.