Submitted by Admin
You’ve seen the stereotype flash across your tv screen (usually in shows for kids) over and over again—a generally-annoying, nerdy adolescent, complete with glasses and a mouthful of metal.
But now you find yourself either contemplating getting braces as an adult, or looking into orthodontic care for a child in your life. And you want to know if the potential drawbacks are worth the benefits of calling up an orthodontist and scheduling your first visit.
The fact of the matter is that braces offer plenty of benefits (and luckily the old caricature of the brace-faced nerd is falling more and more to the wayside, too).
Increase Confidence
I won’t lie, braces didn’t help my teenage-self-confidence when I had them in high school. The minute they came out of my mouth, however, I had a confidence boost that’s lasted me the rest of my life.
My teeth are even and neat, and I’ve never spent a minute worrying about the quality of my smile. One of the most obvious benefits of braces is the huge upswing in confidence in one’s appearance.
Another way braces can increase your confidence that you may not have thought of already is that in certain cases, orthodontics can improve speech.
In some cases, extremely misaligned teeth can lead to less clear pronunciation of certain sounds and words. Correcting the problem with the teeth can greatly aid in correcting the problem with speech.
Avoid Cavities and Bone Erosion
Another obvious boon that braces bring is making it easier to avoid cavities and bone erosion. The bacteria that cause these problems (which can become serious if left unchecked) can get trapped in the uneven spaces created by teeth that are not properly aligned, and this can increase the risk of cavities even with proper brushing.
Straightening those chompers will make brushing more effective and, especially once you’ve finished with your braces, will make flossing easier as well.
Prevent Gum Disease
It might seem slightly less obvious that braces can help you prevent the contraction of gum disease. But misaligned teeth can lead to places in your mouth where small pieces of food can get trapped rather than swallowed or brushed away. In some cases these trapped bits of food can lead to gum infection.
Straightening the teeth and lining them up properly reduces these awkward spaces where food might lodge itself, and makes it easier to maintain the health of your gums.
Decrease the Odds of Injury
This point is particularly relevant to people involved in sports or potentially risky activities (or people who are accident prone…or, to be honest, people who find themselves getting into physical altercations).
Teeth that aren’t lined up properly are easier to damage or injure, and damage to the face that leads to jaw or mouth injury can be exacerbated by improperly aligned teeth.
Orthodontic intervention can lessen the impact of sports injuries or accidents (or foolish behavior).
Braces Can Help With…Digestion?
It might sound strange, but it’s true!
Teeth that don’t meet up the way they’re supposed to in your mouth are not as effective at chewing food when you eat.
Swallowing poorly chewed, partially chewed, or un-chewed food can lead to a handful of digestive issues that can range from unpleasant to painful. Chunky particles of food making their way into your digestive track can cause problems you’d expect, like bloating, gas, and stomach aches, and some that may seem less intuitive, like a decrease in energy levels and an increase in headaches.
But get those teeth in order, and they’re very good at their job. Chewing food, that is. And being able to properly chewing your food can make your life much more comfortable.
But There Are Downsides, Right?
Well, sure, there are a couple of downsides to braces, but they’re not terrible and, unlike the benefits, they’re short-term.
For one thing, not everyone can afford extensive orthodontic work. The good news, though, is that many orthodontists offer payment plans, and many health insurance companies cover orthodontic work (especially if you can make the case that the orthodontic work needed provides a medical benefit).
Maybe you’re worried about teasing, but more and more people of all ages are getting braces (for all the very good reasons listed above) and whatever social stigma used to be attached to visible orthodontics is fading more and more all the time. On top of that, there are clear, discreet braces options available now.
The other potential downside is discomfort. When braces are applied or adjusted, there is a period of discomfort and occasionally pain as your mouth adjusts. This is never a permanent discomfort and it passes fairly quickly. Plus, as a bonus, it’s a great excuse to indulge in some extra ice cream!
Many types of braces do require food restrictions, such as avoiding chewing gum or corn on the cob. These restrictions go away when you’re done with your braces.
Braces Will Benefit You for Life
At the end of the day, the benefits to braces far outweigh the downsides. On top of that, every benefit of braces is long-term, and the downsides tend to be short-term. With a straighter smile you’ll find greater confidence and greater health. If you have any further questions or if you want to get the ball rolling on getting braces for yourself or a loved one, find the best orthodontist in your area and make an appointment pronto!