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The average age for people to get braces is between 8 and 14 years old, but did you know that you can get braces at any age? Braces are not just for kids, and they are also not exclusively designed to straighten teeth.
Most people know that braces straighten teeth, and many believe this is the only benefit they offer. Braces do straighten teeth, but they do a lot more than that.
The benefits of braces are numerous, and here are five interesting things that braces can do that you may not know.
1. Improved Bite
One of the pros of wearing braces is the improvements they make to your bite. Your bite refers to the way your upper and lower teeth meet when you bite together.
If your upper teeth extend too far past your lower teeth, you have an overbite. If your lower teeth extend past your upper teeth when you close your jaw, you have an underbite.
Either type of bite can harm your mouth and lead to jaw problems and other issues. Fixing your bite is impossible without braces, though, and an orthodontist will address this issue when you get braces.
You can choose from traditional braces or Invisalign, but you should compare the differences before choosing. You might also want to ask an orthodontist which one is better for your situation.
Traditional braces are generally more effective for improving a person’s bite, especially when the person’s bite needs a lot of work and movement. Invisalign also moves a person’s bite, but it might not offer as much movement.
2. Reduction in Decay
The second benefit of braces that you may not know is how they protect your teeth against decay. Many people get braces to spread their teeth out.
If you have overcrowded teeth, they may be scrunched together in your mouth. In this case, your teeth leave your mouth vulnerable to decay.
It’s much harder to keep teeth clean when they are crowded together, yet you can’t change this without braces. When your braces start moving your teeth to the proper alignment, they spread out.
You end up with teeth that are spaced evenly and correctly. When your teeth are like this, you can floss them more effectively. You can also clean them more easily when brushing them each day.
As a result, braces help you fight decay. You will likely have cleaner teeth and healthier teeth. Preventing decay is difficult with misaligned teeth, so if you want healthier teeth, you should consider getting braces.
3. Improvement of Speech
Many people also don’t realize the impact their teeth have on their speech. When you speak, you use several key parts of your mouth, including your tongue, lips, and teeth.
If your bite is off, you might have trouble enunciating sounds properly. If you have misaligned teeth, it might make it more challenging to say specific sounds. Therefore, the alignment of your teeth affects the way you speak.
If you feel self-conscious about the way you speak, you might see a significant difference after wearing braces for even a few months. Braces move your teeth into proper alignment, making it easier for you to say all the sounds you need to say.
Experiencing an improvement to speech from braces is a hidden benefit that you might greatly appreciate. If this is a problem you experience, talk to your orthodontist to learn more about how braces can help.
4. Prevention of Bone Erosion
Getting braces offers many benefits, and one of the health benefits of braces is the prevention of bone erosion. Bone erosion refers to the loss of bone mass in your jawbone.
Your jawbone supports your facial shape and holds your teeth in place. People naturally lose some jawbone mass as they age, but misaligned teeth can speed up this process.
If you want to prevent bone erosion in this area of your body, braces can help. Braces help by properly aligning your teeth and spreading them out. When your teeth spread out evenly, your jawbone stays healthier.
You see, when you chew, you stimulate new bone growth in your jaw. If your teeth are misaligned, certain parts of your jawbone might not have teeth close enough to them, leaving you at risk for bone erosion in those areas.
If you lose too much jawbone mass, your jawbone might not be strong enough to hold your teeth in place. As a result, you might lose teeth. You might also see changes to the shape of your face.
5. Improved Self-Confidence and Esteem
There are pros and cons of braces, but there are many more pros than cons. One of the only downsides to braces is the pain they can cause. Fortunately, the pain doesn’t last long.
As you compare the pros and cons, there is one more benefit to know about. Wearing braces can significantly improve your self-confidence and self.
Imagine how you feel right now when you smile. Are you proud to show off your smile, or do you hesitate to smile because of the way your teeth look?
If you hesitate to smile because of the way you look, you might experience issues with your self-confidence and esteem. On the bright side, you can change these things by getting braces.
After wearing braces for a year or two, you will have an entirely different smile. It will be a smile you are proud of, and the result of this is an improvement to your self-esteem and confidence.
Learn More About the Benefits of Braces
While getting braces is the best way to straighten your teeth, the benefits of braces exceed this one purpose. You can reap all the benefits listed here by choosing braces for your teeth.
If you are interested in learning more about your options, contact us. You can come to our office for a consultation, or you can schedule a digital consultation. Contacting us is your first step towards having a nicer and healthier smile!
