Not everyone is blessed with a straight set of teeth. In fact, most people have one or two teeth that are a little crooked. For most of us, the aesthetics of crooked teeth and the quest of a perfect smile are what send us to the dentist’s chair in need of some help, but there are practical and medical benefits to straightening your smile out too. Even if you’ve passed adolescence and you’re questioning the necessity of straightening your teeth as an adult, there are many pay-offs to the process. Let’s go beyond the mirror and take a look at the major benefits of teeth straightening.
The appearance of our teeth is genetic and it’s possible that one of your parents has passed their less-than-perfect teeth onto you. Or, you may have started life out with straight teeth but knocked your teeth out of alignment due to a trauma in the mouth when you were younger. Whatever the reason, teeth straightening is essential for your dental health.
Crooked or misaligned teeth can be a cause of embarrassment for many people and straightening your smile can make you look – and feel – like a different person. On a social level people often say they feel they are judged unfairly if they have imperfect teeth. Younger children may be teased by their friends at school and adults who haven’t corrected their crooked teeth may feel they cant laugh or smile authentically or try to smile through closed lips). You may choose to look miserable in family photos – or avoid them altogether because you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look. Adolescents may struggle more with the social element but there are plenty of adults out there who have hang-ups about their appearance and people’s perception of them because of their teeth. Confidence is essential for a happy life and it has to do with a lot more than just looks. More confident people are more assertive and more likely to pursue their goals and dreams in life. When you feel as though you want to hide away from the world you may do the same with your hopes and dreams. A consultation with your friendly dentist from Supreme Dental Cranbourne will explore the various straightening options at your disposal, and which could work best for you.
Misaligned teeth are more difficult to clean and floss than straight teeth as there are more areas you can’t reach or see with your toothbrush. If crooked teeth are not dealt with they can create further complications and increase your chances of dental decay. If left untreated dental decay can lead to periodontal disease, which can ultimately result in tooth loss. Straightening your crooked teeth will keep your teeth and gums much healthier. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for a healthy body. Poor dental hygiene, sites of tooth decay have been linked to other forms of disease in the body, including heart disease.
When you have what is known as a crowded bite, your teeth may be worn down prematurely. The structure of the jaw allows for all teeth to be accommodated, but only when they are straight. When they are misaligned and crowd the mouth, they can rub against one another causing wear and tear. This can cause pain and discomfort, and also weaken your teeth. Teeth that crowd the mouth are also more susceptible to fracturing. Fracturing occurs quite frequently on front teeth that protrude from the jaw. One of the primary objectives of dentistry is to preserve teeth so they last as long as possible. Straight teeth are stronger teeth that can support your lifestyle for as long as you live.
Patients who have misaligned teeth and severe over or under-bites may be more likely to experience sleep problems and sleep apnoea. If your teeth are crooked and you are experiencing sleep problems, undergoing teeth straightening would be a major benefit. A lot of people grind their teeth in their sleep and even when your teeth are straight, this causes the surface of your teeth to wear down. When you grind crooked teeth causes significantly more damage and can result in further complications.
It is also common for crowded teeth to be sensitive to very hot and cold temperatures when they are under a lot of pressure. This can cause a great deal of discomfort when eating and drinking. It may even make your dental hygiene routine less comfortable.
Our teeth are designed to perform a function. We need them to chew and eat to stay alive. When your teeth are straight, it is easier and more comfortable to chew your food. When you have crooked teeth there may be certain types of food that you avoid; either because you can’t or because it hurts you to do so. When your teeth are straight no food is off-limits. Eating those nuts or biting into the side of an apple should be a pleasure to enjoy.
If you play sport or are a very active person, having crooked teeth can be very dangerous. It’s much easier for two front teeth to be knocked out if they protrude, than if they fit comfortably into the mouth. Of course, any trauma done to a tooth in a crowded mouth can cause further damage to the other teeth in the mouth. In summary straightening your teeth presents a wide array of benefits. You can face the world with more confidence in yourself, without fear of judgement from others. You can protect your mouth against the added risk of tooth decay, improve tooth sensitivity and enjoy more freedom when eating. Our friendly Supreme Dental Cranbourne dentists will answer your questions and concerns about teeth straightening and advise you on the various treatment options available. Contact us today at (03) 5995 3819.
They say the most beautiful eyes are those that see the beauty in others. With a straight, healthy, aligned smile… beauty is all they will see. When you have a healthy, straight, optimal smile, you aren’t afraid to show it off. You look better, you feel better and you are perceived better by the world. Thanks braces. Straightening your teeth has obvious benefits in terms of aesthetics and cosmetic upgrades. What most people don’t know is a crooked smile can lead to an unhealthy mouth and unhealthy body. Our entire bodies are connected and when teeth are crooked it can lead to gum disease, decay, tooth loss and other issues. These can all come together to takes a toll on your overall health. A healthy set of teeth can improve your breathing, your sleeping and the overall quality of your life. Braces will improve your bite. A bad bite (technically called a malocclusion) puts extreme pressure on your teeth, causing chips, cracks and breaks. We are going to break down how do braces work and give you the information you need to feel secure and empowered if you’re thinking of delving into the world of braces.
Don’t be fooled by the tiny size of braces. They may be small but they are made up of a lot of parts, all designed to straighten and improve your smile. Here’s a brief overview of the specific parts of braces and how they all connect to guide your teeth into their ideal position. BRACKETS: These are the tiny ceramic or metal links that are glued onto each of your teeth. ARCH WIRE: This long, thin piece of wire is attached to orthodontic bands and applied around the dental arch to control and force tooth movement. BONDING MATERIAL: This is in essence, the mouth-friendly glue linking your individual teeth to each bracket. LIGATURE ELASTIC: Also referred to as an O-ring, these are the most well-known parts of braces. They are also the parts where you can choose their color. Their primary job is to help connect the arch wire and the bracket. They are a main player and do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to straightening your teeth. As a result, they are typically tightened and switched out each time you visit our office. SPACERS: As the name suggests, these are essentially the “spacebar” button for your teeth — and occasionally they can take a bit of getting used to. Spacers go in between your individual teeth, allowing for the bands to be fit comfortably through. ORTHODONTIC BANDS: UNLIKE LIGATURE ELASTICS, these elastic bands don’t go on each individual tooth. Their job is to connect the arch wire to the brackets. If your teeth don’t require a lot of straightening, chances are you’ll never have to use them. In a nutshell, these are the basics of braces. There are a few additionally complicated components (that don’t apply to everyone) but these are the most common parts of braces.
By slowly encouraging your teeth to move into their correct position, braces work by continually putting pressure on your teeth. The arch wire predominantly puts most of the pressure on your teeth, while other parts (like the brackets) work to hold it in place. Your teeth are being supported and cushioned by the tissue of your gums, also known as your gingiva. Beneath your gums, you’ll find a Periodontal Membrane, which protects the lower half of your teeth. The two “prong-like” portions of your teeth are fittingly called the Alveolar Bones. While braces gently encourage your actual teeth to move, they additionally put pressure on the Periodontal Membrane. One side of this membrane will stretch out, creating space for the teeth to move. The bars and bands then push it from the other side, establishing enough space for the teeth to safely shift.
Bone Remodeling might sound a bit drastic and intimidating, but that’s exactly what braces do! They remodel your bone. And that’s a good thing because in the end, it actually strengthens your teeth. You get stronger each and every time you pump iron. The same principals are in effect with your teeth. Every time your teeth have to withstand the pressure being applied to them, they continue to get stronger. Ultimately, this pressure helps to create new types of cells, helping you with improved and better bone density. Most of this remodeling process is done by the arch wire itself — but the science behind it is intriguing. Working with wire you might know it can sometimes be tough to bend it in the way you want. Wire wants to keep straight, even in the mouth. Here’s the interesting science. The heat inside of your mouth, which is typically around 98 degrees, forces that wire to bend into the curved shape of your set of teeth. But it will still want to straighten. This back and forth creates pressure that ultimately moves your teeth into their new, accurate and healthy position.
Now that you have a clearer picture of what’s involved and you understand how braces work, together we can create a plan designed for your specific needs. Regardless of where you are in your smile journey, we want to help. We make it a focus to personalise attention and design a protocol just for you. Our friendly Supreme Dental Cranbourne dentists will answer your questions and concerns about teeth straightening and advise you on the various treatment options available. Contact us today at (03) 5995 3819.
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