Dental braces can correct a wide range of teeth-related issues. While most people think of braces as a treatment for teens, adults can also benefit from them, dental braces create fewer gaps and spacing between the teeth, which makes it easier to chew food for better digestion. This also helps the stomach digest food more quickly, reducing digestive issues like indigestion and acid reflux.

Crowded or crooked teeth can lead to bacterial plaque buildup and gum disease. Braces can alleviate this by distributing healthy pressure evenly. Additionally, reducing the spaces and gaps between your teeth will make it easier to brush and floss.

Improved Oral Hygiene

Misaligned teeth and bite issues can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other serious dental problems if left untreated. Braces correct these issues and help you maintain a clean, healthy smile throughout your life.

Crowded or crooked teeth create hidden nooks and crannies where food particles and bacteria hide, causing plaque to build up. This can cause tooth decay and discoloration as the bacteria in plaque produce acids that eat away at the enamel. Straight teeth make it easier to clean your teeth, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Proper chewing helps your body absorb the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from your diet. Inadequate chewing can lead to digestive discomfort like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. Braces help you chew your food properly, improving digestion and ensuring your body gets the nutrition it needs.

Better Breath

Bad breath stems from bacteria breaking down food debris, so maintaining good oral hygiene is even more important when you have braces. Braces create nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide, so brushing is key to preventing plaque buildup and halitosis.

Using mouthwash that kills bacteria can also help freshen your breath. Chewing sugar-free gum can increase saliva production and dislodge food particles that could linger in your mouth.

It’s best to avoid foods like popcorn, corn on the cob, whole apples, chewing gum, and other sticky foods while wearing braces. These foods can lead to a build-up of plaque that will cause staining and damage your teeth. Stick to a diet that consists of healthy produce, protein, grains and dairy. Also be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Better Digestion

One of the primary reasons to get braces is to correct dental misalignments like crowded teeth and bite issues. These problems can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious oral health concerns. Straighter teeth and a healthier bite reduce the risk of these conditions by making it easier to brush and floss, reducing bacteria build-up.

Unpleasant breath is another common problem associated with crooked or overcrowded teeth. This issue arises because food particles become trapped in the crevices of these teeth, causing bacteria to grow. The resulting acid can eventually wear down the tooth enamel, leading to cavities and other serious dental problems.

More Attractive Smile

Achieving a straighter smile with braces will improve your overall appearance, and confidence in your new smile. This can boost your self-esteem, and help you interact with others in a more positive manner.

Traditional metal braces are the most common type, and are still an effective solution for a wide range of dental problems. They consist of metal brackets cemented to the front surfaces of your teeth, connected by a thin metal wire that gradually guides your teeth into their correct positions. Small elastic bands, called ligature elastics (or O-rings) attach the arch wire to each bracket, helping to apply gentle pressure and control tooth movement.

A straighter smile can improve your oral health by reducing crooked teeth and excess space between them. It can also protect you from future dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Better Speech

Although orthodontic treatment may not completely resolve all speech impediments, it can help significantly reduce mild ones. Many stuttering issues stem from tooth and jaw misalignments that braces can correct.

Speech clarity is a complex process that involves various body parts working in harmony. Your lungs produce sound waves, the larynx manipulates these signals to form words and sounds, and various parts in your mouth and nose articulate these sounds to create distinct words. If these parts don’t work together properly, you will develop a speech impediment like a lisp.

While braces can affect your speech temporarily, they will improve your overall oral health and boost your confidence, bringing long-term benefits that far outweigh the short-term inconveniences. To speed up your speech recovery, we recommend reading aloud to yourself regularly and practicing the sounds that give you trouble while wearing braces.