As adults, there is predominantly one reason why people choose to have their teeth straightened and that is to improve their appearance. This often comes after much consideration as straightening teeth takes a commitment to wear orthodontics for some time, sometimes for more than a year. This no longer means wearing older style wire braces though and modern orthodontic treatments such as the Invisalign aligner allow teeth to be straightened in a more discrete and comfortable manner.
This is all good news for patients of the Clarence Dental Practice in Staines, and there is no doubt that this treatment produces excellent results, leaving our patients with straight and even smiles. What some patients might not realise though is that there are other more practical benefits when you have straight and even teeth.
As mentioned earlier, the main reason people undergo orthodontic treatment is to have a more attractive smile. Once you have this, you are likely to want to keep it as long as you possibly can. This means looking after it well by eating sensibly and brushing and flossing regularly. You should do this whatever your teeth look like of course, but you are likely to feel more motivated to do so if you are happy with the way that your teeth look.
Crooked teeth can cause a number of problems when it comes to cleaning them. Teeth that are compacted together or that overlap make it very difficult for the bristles of a toothbrush to reach between them in order to remove any food debris and bacteria that has collected there. This can also apply to when you floss too. Especially where the tooth is located in a more awkward to reach position in the mouth, you may be more easily tempted to stop trying if it is difficult to get the floss into that area. This will inevitably mean that decay will follow which will result in the need for a filling, crown, root canal surgery or even extraction.
Along with tooth decay, another significant risk to our oral health that can be caused by poor cleaning is gum disease. This is a major cause of tooth loss in the UK. Gum disease starts off relatively mild, with symptoms such as soreness and inflammation. If not treated though, the bacteria that causes these issues eventually works their way down to the roots of the tooth and surrounding bone. This starts to degrade the bone which then is less able to secure the tooth root in place. This eventually leads to movement of the tooth as it becomes loose and can lead to the tooth falling out completely. Straighter teeth undoubtedly make the cleaning process much easier and will greatly increase your chances of avoiding both decay and related issues, as well as gum diseases such as periodontitis.
Where teeth are crooked or overlap, they are more prone to wear and tear. This is usually due to a poor bite (malocclusion). This gradually causes the premature wearing away of part of the tooth which is then weakened. This can lead to further damage over time or if you bite into something hard. Cracks and breakages are more likely to occur in this way if you have crooked and uneven teeth, rather than straight ones.
We mentioned Invisalign earlier and it is worth looking at this orthodontic system again now. The reality is that many people choose not to have their teeth straightened as they don’t want to wear braces for a long time. The Invisalign system may not reduce the treatment time but it does allow patients a much greater degree of comfort and convenience while their teeth are being straightened.
For one thing, the aligners are transparent and almost invisible when being worn. This is great news for those who are worried about having visible metal braces especially. They are also removable by the patient. While this shouldn’t be abused, and we will explain more about this during your consultation at our Staines dental clinic, it does mean that you can remove them when you eat and when you clean your teeth. Unlike traditional braces then, you don’t have to worry about food getting trapped in the braces, and the same goes for cleaning them. The fact that you remove them for cleaning means that there is no reason that you shouldn’t maintain healthy teeth and gums during the straightening period.
Perhaps you are considering having your teeth straightened for cosmetic purposes but are unsure whether to go ahead or not? The reality is that if you do, you have a greater chance of having healthy teeth afterwards which can only be a ‘win win’ situation; a great looking smile and a healthy mouth!
If you would like to discuss teeth straightening with us, we can arrange for you to have an initial assessment with a dentist. This is a great opportunity too, to discuss any areas of concerns or questions that you might have. To book your appointment simply call the Clarence Dental Practice today on 01784 463 695.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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