Improve Your Health by Visiting a Braces Dentist

As a braces dentist, we are often asked why people should consider braces. While to some people it might seem that the answer is obvious, there are those who want more information and we completely appreciate that. The truth is that there are very distinct advantages to having perfectly straight teeth, over and above the obvious improvements to a person's looks. There are health benefits that are at times overlooked but that are always at the forefront of our minds, as we promote the idea of straighter teeth. It is important for you to remember that your teeth are the very first step in the digestive process. Keeping your mouth healthy and your teeth in the best shape possible, which includes making sure they are perfectly straight, is one of the ways that we can help you to have better health. When you use braces, not only are you getting an amazing upgrade to your smile but you are also taking steps to improve the overall health of your mouth.

A braces dentist is someone who spends much of their life straightening people's teeth. Over the years, we have seen very distinct advantages to having straighter teeth, and given that appearance isn't everything, we wanted to share some of the other health benefits of having straighter teeth. For those who interested in having better health, here are two reasons why you should consider having an evaluation in our dentist office.
Braces make it easier to clean your teeth: When you have teeth that are misaligned very often they form barriers between the teeth that make it very hard to floss. In the same vein, when the teeth are uneven or overlapping, your toothbrush has a difficult time making it to places that are hard to reach even with straight teeth. These missed spots can start to build up bacteria and eventually will result in cavities. As we straighten your teeth and ultimately remove your braces, we will be focused on making sure that the spaces between your teeth are even. This makes it easier to brush and floss, which in turn improves your oral hygiene.
Healthier teeth and gums: If keeping your teeth clean wasn't enough of a reason to wear braces, we have found that once a person has their teeth straightened, their overall mouth condition improves vastly. Overcrowded teeth and teeth that are too widely spaced have the adverse effect of damaging the gums, which often leads to red, irritated gums or even bleeding. Unfortunately, very often badly spaced teeth can also lead to periodontal diseases because the teeth are not properly aligned, and the gums do not fit securely around the teeth themselves. These tiny gaps are enough to lead to severe bacterial infections and cavities or even more serious gum diseases. As the teeth start to realign, these gaps are taken away, and the gums fit snugly around the teeth again. This in turn makes the gums healthier, reducing the chances of getting a serious gum condition.
These are only some of the ways that we can improve your health and appearance.  To learn more, call our braces dentist office today.

Orthodontics  >  Family Dentist

Facts You Should Know About Orthodontics From a Braces Dentist

As a braces dentist, we know that orthodontics has become an essential part of modern day dentistry. As more people become aware of the importance of having straight teeth and a properly aligned jaw, the need for orthodontists has skyrocketed. Once thought of as a cosmetic fix, today people understand the significance of having straight teeth, how the jaw influences language skills, and even the importance of a great winning smile. Dentists too have started to work much more closely with orthodontists, to give them a whole new array of tools to improve a patient’s dental health. There is, however, a healthy dose of myths that surround the science of orthodontics. 

Straightening teeth and the use of braces are not just for children. Much to the contrary, adults make up more than twenty percent of the patients an orthodontist sees.  We treat adults who want to get their jaw properly aligned, or their teeth straightened. Popular culture has built up the myth that braces are for children and that adults are stuck with the teeth they grew up with. Luckily, as more adults become educated, they are seeking the treatment they can get for their crooked teeth and we can help. 

Another popular myth is that braces tend to hurt. This myth does have some foundation in reality. For many years, getting braces was a tedious and often painful process. Fortunately, modern medicine has had an impact on orthodontics as well. Today braces are no longer as uncomfortable, with most people getting used to them very quickly. Braces today are far more manageable, and most patients report minimal, if any, discomfort. As a braces dentist, we work with our patients to ensure that they stay comfortable throughout their treatment.

Many adults are still worried that wearing braces could be embarrassing, especially in a professional environment. 

Clear braces, made from natural-colored ceramics have become increasingly more popular as people seeking to straighten their teeth do not want the embarrassment of metal braces. Additional advances allow for some braces to be installed behind the teeth, which places them completely out of sight. These changes have made it so that adults can wear their braces all the time without having to worry about the unsightly metal protruding from their teeth. Additionally, we can use clear aligners to straighten teeth without the use of brackets or wires at all. 

Another common idea is that braces take a long time to get a person’s teeth properly aligned. Many patients think that it will take years of wearing braces, with constant adjustments and frequent trips to the orthodontist’s office to get them tightened or adjusted. 

While it is true that braces do take time, there really is no set time frame. Each patient is different and so it could take a few months, or a few years to get the teeth straight. Adjustments and tightening are part of the process, which is designed to gradually move your teeth from the natural position they grew into to the place where they were supposed to go. We can let you know what the time frame would look like for your case during a consultation.

To learn more about orthodontics and how we can improve your smile, give us a call to schedule an appointment with a braces dentist.