For many adults, the concept of straight teeth and getting braces is about as foreign as getting on a motorcycle in a rainstorm. They may think that the time to correct their teeth has come and gone, or that orthodontic treatment is simply a cosmetic technology designed to get people looking like models in magazines. But far from being vain or redundant pieces of metal, braces can help fix a whole host of other problems that may be affecting your oral health right now. Take a look at these reasons to get braces.
The average length of time a person will need to wear braces is about 2 years, which is more than enough time to help fix other issues that may be bothering a person. Straight teeth are always the goal of an orthodontist, but you might be surprised to know that having braces over the long run can help your oral health in more ways than one.
1. Periodontal Problems: Brushing, Flossing, and More
One of the top reasons to get braces is because dental issues can cause pain in your everyday life. If you’ve known someone who had adult braces recently, you may have heard them glowing about their dentist telling them that their teeth are much cleaner after treatment than before. This is because when you have crooked and misaligned teeth, it can be harder for any brush or piece of floss to reach the vital nooks and crannies that are required in order to get a deep clean of your mouth. Since oral health is dependent on having clean teeth and flossing between your gums, orthodontics and adult braces can help make this much easier than before. Instead of having to navigate the cavern that is a mouth full of crooked teeth, once you allow modern orthodontics to give you the gift of straight and aligned teeth, your dentist will also be happy.
2. Self-Esteem Issues
We don’t think it’s a secret that many people suffer from terrible self-esteem issues because of the way their teeth look. Whether you think it’s no big deal or the worst thing in the world, the fact of the matter is that how your teeth look when you smile or present yourself is a part of who you are as a person. Instead of being afraid to open up your mouth and laugh or flash a pleasant grin to the next person you meet, getting braces could be your ticket to the confidence that you’ve sorely lacked in your life. When orthodontics can give you tools that help improve your self-esteem and therefore improve your life, why not jump at the chance?
3. Chewing and Speech Problems
Perhaps you’ve gone all of your life chewing or speaking a certain way and it doesn’t feel abnormal to you. Maybe it’s only after a painful eating session or someone points out your particular patterns of speech that you become self-aware that something might be wrong. Luckily, with modern orthodontics, the relatively simple technology of braces can help correct chewing and speech problems that you might be experiencing on a daily basis so that you’re more optimized going forward. Instead of having a jaw and teeth that don’t work for you, braces can flip this on its head and orthodontics can help you speak with total clarity while getting rid of any chewing problems that you might have. Since improper chewing and eating habits can sometimes lead to digestive issues, the benefits can go even further than that. When you let braces work for you, lots of good things can happen!
4. Braces Fix More Than Just Smiles
While many people are most familiar with braces as a smile-enhancing technology, they can be so much more than that. Because modern orthodontics and braces help to align the teeth and jaw together correctly, they can correct all sorts of oral problems that you might not have even been aware of. From enhanced self-esteem that comes with finally having straightened and corrected teeth, to chewing and speech problems that no longer cause headaches, braces are worth getting. Your dentist will be happy as well because braces will align your teeth better and give you more control over brushing and flossing habits. When you’re ready to have amazing quality braces, call Four Corners Orthodontics and Dental!