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What Are the Benefits of Braces Besides Straight Teeth

Home » Blog » What Are the Benefits of Braces Besides Straight Teeth

Everyone wants a naturally aligned and beautiful smile, and it is no secret that braces from Craig & Streight Orthodontics can help deliver one! But did you know there are even greater benefits to wearing braces than just having straight teeth? Apart from the aesthetic benefits of braces, there are also a number of health benefits that braces patients will experience. In many cases, patients with orthodontic issues may not be aware of the dangers associated with improper or misaligned teeth. It is true that orthodontic braces can give you a beautiful smile. Our team of experts here at Craig & Streight Orthodontics want you to understand the other positives that can come out of having braces, and how they can improve your oral health. Read on!

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Your teeth may overlap each other and create tight spaces in between when they are crooked or crowded. This can make it very difficult to brush and floss effectively, which allows bacteria and plaque to build up, and will eventually lead to tooth decay and gum disease. With orthodontic treatment, your teeth will become properly aligned and spaced, and allow for more effective brushing. The increased risk of oral disease such as periodontitis and gum disease is one of the primary concerns of orthodontic issues. Patients with severely crooked or misaligned teeth naturally have crevices that are not experienced by individuals with straight teeth. These crevices essentially act as hiding places for food buildup and bacteria. These crevices make it more difficult for patients to achieve the required level of dental hygiene needed to prevent health issues from developing. If patients fail to maintain proper oral hygiene, the food buildup and bacteria can easily develop into plaque, tartar, cavities, and eventually disease. Correcting the teeth with the use of braces can eliminate these hard-to-reach areas, thus decreasing the overall risk for oral disease. When braces correct the spacing between teeth, and get rid of the tight spaces, patients are able to brush and floss more effectively and not miss essential areas of the mouth.

Ceramic braces on front teeth

Apart from just oral health, having straight teeth can also improve an individual’s overall health. When a patient’s jaws do not align properly, a misaligned bite occurs. As a result, the patient may experience bite issues that can cause unusual and hazardous stress to be placed on certain teeth and areas of the mouth. During eating and other everyday activities, this uneven distribution of pressure can cause strain on the jaws, muscles, and ligaments. Unusual stress on certain teeth may eventually cause them to weaken and become susceptible to chipping and breaking. This can lead to infection and the need for tooth extraction. Correcting the bite through the use of braces can help to prevent and reduce the risk of these issues, thus contributing to the overall health of the patient. Some patients experience issues such as protruding front teeth. This can be potentially hazardous, especially for individuals who are involved in activities such as sports that increase the risk of blunt force to the mouth. These patients experience a greater risk of chipping and breaking due to the positioning of the teeth. In order to avoid the risks associated with protruding front teeth, they definitely need to consider orthodontic treatment through braces.

Difficulties with Speech

Your teeth play an essential role in speech. When they are out of line or lean too far forward or backward, this affects your speaking patterns, which can cause embarrassment and frustration. Braces can adjust the positioning of the teeth to allow for clearer, more professional speech. They can shift problem teeth that may be causing embarrassing speech impediments. When an overbite or underbite gets adjusted, patients can pronounce certain words more distinctly.
Spaces between teeth may also cause whistling, which braces can fix by closing off the gaps. Word slurring can also be improved with the help of braces by realignment of the jaw or teeth, which opens room for your tongue to move with greater ease.

Bone Erosion

When there are no teeth to support, bone and gum tissues will begin to erode. This is also true for poorly aligned teeth that leave gaps and spaces, or place too much pressure on the jawbone due to a bad bite. The bones and tissues are less likely to erode and can continue to support the teeth in their new alignment with braces, and braces also help in supporting the bones and tissues in your mouth. Braces move periodontal ligaments by stretching the connective tissues and nerves. Braces help prevent erosion of the gums, and will alleviate pressure from the jawbone by fixing a bad bite over time. The bones naturally rebuild once they are settled in their new spot.

Young Girls Smiling

Digestion

Your teeth play an important role in digestion. Before food ever enters your stomach, it has been partially digested by the teeth. If teeth are severely out of line, however, they may not play their role in breaking down food as effectively as they should before it enters your stomach. Teeth aid with digestion when you can thoroughly chew your food. If your teeth are badly placed, braces can straighten them for optimal alignment for eating and chewing. Once you can chew properly with the help of braces, your food will be more easily and fully digested.

The staff of Craig & Streight Orthodontics will be happy to answer any of your questions about your orthodontic treatment or braces and how they can help you. You can visit us at one of our offices in Norman, Mustang, or Oklahoma City, or give us a call today and set up a consultation appointment. Braces can help with many oral health problems, and may save you a lot of money and time in the future. If you are not sure whether braces would be worth your time or money, consider the benefits above, and how they add to the value of this treatment. You will be getting more than just a beautiful smile!

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Mindy H.
Each visit we experienced happy, efficient staff that took care of our boy!
Michael G.
They done a good job on helping my son get his teeth straight he got them off and they look pretty good
Jason
Overall experience was great. Everyone was welcoming and professional. We left the office very satisfied with the services we received.
Joe A.
Your people have done an exceptional job with my daughter and her braces. She just had them taken off and we couldn’t be happier.
Response from the owner:Hey Joe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that your daughter is happy with her braces and the care she received. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional service, and it's rewarding to know we made a positive impact. We appreciate your support!
Amber S.
We’ve had a great experience from start to finish. Everyone there is super friendly and made my daughter feel really comfortable every step of the way. The whole process went smoothly, and her smile looks amazing now! Definitely recommend them if you’re looking for a place that takes great care of their patients.
Response from the owner:Hi Amber. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made your daughter feel comfortable and that the process went smoothly. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care to all our patients. We look forward to seeing you again!
Cathey N.
I was recommended to Craig and Streight in Mustang several years ago for my boys to start their orthodontist journey. We absolutely love them!! I could not of asked for a better experience for myself and my boys! 💗 Cathey, Carson & Ethan
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Don J.
All three of our kids have had braces from Craig and Streight, and it’s been a very positive experience with all three.
Response from the owner:Hi Don. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that your children have had such a positive journey with us. It's wonderful to know that our team has made a difference for your family. We appreciate your trust and support!
Jessica C.
Absolutely loved the atmosphere of this office! Every single interaction we had was nothing short of superb! So thankful to have found a great orthodontist to work with over the next couple years!
Response from the owner:Hi Jessica. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the atmosphere and had such positive interactions with our team. We're excited to be part of your orthodontic journey and look forward to providing you with exceptional care in the coming years!
Barbara F.
My only issue with today’s appointment was the 30 minute I had to be seen. Once I was called back, my hygienist was calm and considerate and showed me how to use my Invisalign.
Response from the owner:Hey Barbara. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad to hear that your hygienist provided calm and considerate care during your appointment. We appreciate your feedback regarding the wait time, as it helps us enhance our patient experience. If you have any further concerns, please feel free to reach out to our office manager. Your input is invaluable to us!
John N.
Great place with excellent service for kids, but the wait was too long.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Lillian Maxey (.
awesome staff! so sweet and helpful and had a great experience with my invisalign and them!
Response from the owner:Hi Lillie. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact during your Invisalign journey. Your kind words motivate us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Ladan M.
We had a great experience. Professional and caring personnel and super amazing Dr. Straight made it an easy choice to work with.
Response from the owner:Hi Ladan. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team, including Dr. Streight, made such a positive impact. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kelly P.
Just started my fourth kid in treatment today. No where else we would go…from the front desk gals, fresh coffee for this tired momma, the hygienist, the dentists…it’s always been a great experience. Wonderful staff making amazing smiles!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Kelly. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family feel at home with us. Our team is dedicated to creating a positive environment, and it’s great to know that our efforts are making a difference. We look forward to continuing to support your family's journey to amazing smiles!
Artoya
Staff and the doctor were very friendly and they explained everything in detail.
Response from the owner:Hey Artoya. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that our team provided friendly service and thorough explanations. Your experience is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share it!
David B.
Took my twin girls in for braces today and we had an amazing experience. The entire staff went out of their way to answer all of our questions and they were so sweet with the girls. The girls left with new braces and big smiles and I left with confidence in my desicion. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Hi David. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact on you and your daughters. It's great to know that everyone left with smiles and confidence. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent care for your family!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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