Natural, perfectly aligned teeth and bites can be less common than misaligned ones.
You read that right. While the exact percentage varies, a meta-analysis published in PubMed Central stated that malocclusion, a condition characterized by misaligned teeth or bite, can affect up to 80% of the world’s population! While the rate is lower in some places, the range is still high: 48% to 81%.
Fortunately, adult orthodontics can correct problems with teeth, jaw, and bite alignment, regardless of a patient’s age. So, whether you’re in your late 20s, 40s, or even 50s, you can still get orthodontic treatment or braces for adults and enjoy the many benefits of straighter teeth.
The caring team at Wardlaw Orthodontics, our orthodontic office serving Central Arkansas through our Little Rock and Conway offices, will share insights into how these treatments enhance oral health and confidence, so please read on.
Improve Your Biting and Chewing Power
Some people undergo adult orthodontics to enhance the appearance of their smiles. However, for many others, the smile makeover benefits of getting braces are more of a welcome, extra perk. Instead, the primary reason they undergo treatment is to improve overall oral functions, including biting and chewing.
How So?
Orthodontic treatment, whether through traditional metal braces or invisible aligners, can help boost biting and chewing power by:
- Gradually moving or shifting your pearly whites to more optimal locations
- Aligning your bite so that the upper teeth fit better with the lower teeth
- Allowing for a more even distribution of force over the teeth when biting and chewing
But How Exactly Can Better Biting and Chewing Help With Health?
One is by helping lower the risk of early tooth wear and tear. If you have misaligned teeth, some are more prone to damage. They get the brunt of the force and pressure whenever you bite or chew.
Another is by aiding with optimal food digestion. When you can chew food better:
- Your teeth can break down food into smaller particles, which
- Allow for easier digestion and
- Better nutrient absorption
On the other hand, misaligned teeth can lead to inadequate chewing. An article published on MDPI says this can lead to digestive problems.
Reduce Your Risk of Dental Decay and Gum Disease
Tooth decay, also known as dental cavities or caries, is a highly prevalent oral condition.
Nearly all Americans will experience tooth decay. As the U.S. CDC points out, 96% of all seniors (adults 65 and older) have had a cavity at some point in their lives. Moreover, adults aged 20 to 64 have at least one untreated cavity.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is another common dental problem. According to the NIH MedlinePlus Magazine, it affects nearly half of all adults in the U.S.
There are several factors that can cause tooth decay and gum disease, including poor oral hygiene that leads to plaque and tartar buildup. For this reason, it’s imperative to brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time and floss at least once daily. Such good oral habits can help minimize the risks of these oral health woes developing.
The problem is that misaligned teeth (especially very crooked ones) can be much more challenging to clean. Their improper alignment creates more crevices and niches where plaque and tartar can form and accumulate.
Here is where the many oral health perks of having your teeth straightened with quality orthodontic treatments come into play.
Improved Cleaning
Braces correct teeth and bite misalignments, resulting in fewer hard-to-reach areas where plaque and tartar can build up. As a result, teeth straightened with adult orthodontics are much easier to brush and floss than their misaligned counterparts. In this way, orthodontic treatment can help cut the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Minimize Unnatural, Premature Wear and Tear on Teeth
Misaligned teeth can develop premature wear and tear, as teeth that don’t fit together properly can experience excessive force and uneven pressure while chewing and biting. Every time this happens, their risk of developing decay or sustaining cavity-promoting injury increases. So, folks with malocclusions are more prone to requiring costlier, more complex adult dental care.
By correcting the placement and position of the teeth and jaws, orthodontic treatment allows for a more even distribution of force and pressure. Such an improvement can help prevent your pearly whites from unnaturally and prematurely becoming worn down.
Have More Self-Esteem
Self-esteem refers to how people see and value themselves. Individuals with higher self-esteem think positively about their characteristics, traits, and qualities. Conversely, those who have low self-esteem tend to perceive themselves negatively.
Since self-esteem stems from self-perception, one’s appearance can affect it. Furthermore, it can make or break a person’s self-confidence. After all, the more positively a person is about their characteristics, traits, and qualities, the better and more confident they will feel about themselves.
Having straighter, healthier pearly whites can help augment your self-esteem and confidence because properly aligned teeth look (and feel!) much better than misaligned or crooked ones. You may feel better about yourself and your appearance, as you know that you now have a healthier, more dazzling smile.
All these benefits can have a drastic effect on your mental health, including your social life and emotional well-being. As Verywell Health points out, having higher self-esteem has a positive impact on mental health. On the other hand, lower levels of self-esteem show a link to mental health conditions, including depression.
Ready to Reap the Benefits of Adult Orthodontics?
From improving biting and chewing to reducing risks of oral health woes and boosting self-confidence, these are some of the ways adult orthodontics can benefit you. So, if you’d like not only to improve the way your smile looks but also feel better and be healthier, consider getting braces or clear aligners.
Wardlaw Orthodontics, our family-centric orthodontic practice with offices in Little Rock and Conway, AR, is happy to help. Our good doctor, Dr. David Wardlaw, has decades of orthodontic expertise tracing back to 1989. Dr. Wardlaw and the entire team bring over 200 years of combined orthodontic experience, which we’ll use to ensure you get high-quality orthodontic care.
Contact us today to request a free smile assessment!