Most people associate braces with straighter teeth, which is important in helping people achieve a beautiful smile that they can show off. But you may be surprised to learn that there are numerous advantages to correcting a bad bite that extend far beyond the appearance of your teeth:

Improving overall dental hygiene

Braces help promote good oral health by correcting bites and changing the way your teeth fit together. When your teeth are straightened, they become easier to clean, since they don’t have many tight spaces that may be hard to reach with floss or a brush. Teeth that are easily cleaned are more resistant to the harmful plaque build-ups, decay, and gum disease. When you get braces, you are required to follow a strict dental hygiene regimen. Sugary foods and sweets are highly discouraged to prevent damage to the braces and getting sugary food lodged into hard-to-reach areas.

Straightening teeth and improving self-esteem

People with bad bites and crooked teeth often become self-conscious about showing their smile. They may not talk as often, smile without showing teeth, or cover their mouths when they laugh. These actions can have negative psychological effects and may develop into self-esteem issues. Self-esteem and confidence issues can worsen during early adolescence and into young adulthood. Correcting crooked teeth during adolescence can provide the individual with extra confidence that allows them to laugh and display their beautiful smile.

Correcting a bad bite

For some people, their upper and lower jaw may not meet properly when biting down. A bad bite, also known as malocclusion, can occur as crowded teeth, gapped teeth, overbite, underbite, or crossbite. When your teeth don’t align, it places extra pressure on the adjacent teeth, resulting in greater wear and tear.

Braces can help correct symptoms associated with malocclusion, including:

• Mild to severe tooth pain
• Tooth loss
• Loss of supporting bone or tissue around the teeth
• Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
• Jaw pain
• A popping, clicking, or grinding jaw
• Headaches
• Pain throughout the teeth, head, and neck

Are you considering braces to correct your bite or improve the appearance of your teeth?  Contact your local Tooth Corner and we can give you a free consultation to see if braces are right for you.  We’ll also implement a payment plan if necessary, so that you can afford to have perfect teeth on a tight budget!