The impact of teeth straightening treatments goes far beyond improving the appearance of a smile. In fact, orthodontic treatment plans also improve the health of the mouth. When misaligned teeth and overcrowding create challenges to keeping the mouth disease-free, the wearing of braces to straighten teeth can greatly improve oral hygiene. So it seems there are plenty of other benefits to choosing Invisalign in Sheffield in addition to enhancing smiles.
Why is oral hygiene of such great concern to dental professionals? Researchers have discovered that poor oral health issues do not just affect your smile and your dental health. The Oral Health Foundation is quite clear – poor oral health issues such as oral infections, tooth decay and gum disease can be linked with medical complaints and systemic conditions elsewhere in the body.
One research study looking at the effects of poor oral hygiene found that those exhibiting symptoms including loose teeth, bleeding gums and mouth ulcers were 75 per cent most likely to also develop hepatocellular carcinoma – a prevalent type of primary liver cancer. Other life-threatening conditions linked to poor oral health include strokes, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The positive impact of teeth straightening treatments
Healthier and stronger teeth are one of the best reasons to straighten teeth. Teeth that are easier to clean are better protected from the build up of plaque that results in cavities and gum disease.
Teeth straightening treatments help protect tooth longevity. Misaligned teeth and overcrowding are oral conditions that place undue pressure on certain teeth during masticatory function. This additional stress can lead to fractures and premature wear and tear. As a result tooth enamel weakens and the tooth becomes damaged and lost if not rehabilitated properly.
People often forget that gums, too, can benefit from dental care such as teeth straightening. Wide spaces between teeth and overcrowding often result in gums becoming swollen and red in appearance. Gum disease results in not only tooth loss, but also deterioration of jaw bone density.
There are multiple ways straightening teeth can positively impact confidence levels. The most widely accepted way is to enhance dental appearance for ever-ready smiles. The other is improved speech. Orthodontic problems such as overcrowding can create distortions in the pronunciation of certain sounds which are removed after wearing braces and teeth are properly spaced and positioned where they should be.
Then there is the positive influence on physical and mental health. But how does this influence come about? The answer lies once again in poor oral hygiene and the bad bacteria that are allowed to flourish in such an environment.
It is these bad bacteria that are responsible for unwanted problems like plaque, cavities and gum disease. Researchers have found that bad oral bacteria can leave the mouth and enter the bloodstream and make their way to the blood vessels of vital organs such as the heart and lungs.
Relief from pain is another benefit of teeth straightening treatments. Orthodontic problems such as misaligned jaws can cause headaches and facial pain. Correcting these problems with braces can help improve the patient’s life by reducing the pain and discomfort they experience.
Thanks to orthodontic treatments, there is a lot more to enjoy about healthier teeth and gums than a pleasing smile.
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