It goes without saying that orthodontic treatment makes your teeth straighter. After all, that’s one of the primary reasons you visit the orthodontist.
However, what does it do for your oral health — does it significantly impact other oral issues besides a straighter smile?
The short answer is a resounding yes!
Visiting your orthodontist, receiving orthodontic treatment, and maintaining healthy habits during (and after) treatment have a significant impact on your oral health. Find out how below!
Oral Health Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
Scheduling an orthodontist appointment is the first step toward improving your oral health, and as you keep moving on your orthodontic journey, you’ll start to notice. Here are some oral health benefits of orthodontic treatment.
Easier Oral Hygiene
When your teeth aren’t straight, it’s challenging to clean them correctly.
Teeth that are too close together are more difficult and sometimes almost impossible to properly floss around, which leads to unwanted plaque buildup.
When your teeth have a gap, they often catch food, which can lead to poor oral hygiene if you aren’t careful.
Straightening your teeth makes the gaps between teeth even, making brushing and flossing a breeze!
Better Bite Alignment
Orthodontic treatments like braces and clear aligners can correct how your jaws align with each other, fixing common bite issues like:
- Overbites: when your top jaw overlaps your bottom jaw too much
- Underbites: when your bottom jaw sticks out from below your upper jaw
- Crossbites: when your jaws don’t line up with each other side to side
Aligning a misaligned bite can do wonders for your oral health by making it easier to chew food and preventing uneven wear on your teeth.
Less Chance of Tooth Decay
Crowded teeth — teeth that overlap or touch each other — and plaque buildup from crowding are leading causes of tooth decay.
When your teeth rub on each other, they break down your enamel. This rubbing can lead to cavities and significant tooth decay later in life.
Because orthodontic treatments make it easier to clean your teeth, they also help you prevent tooth decay with regular flossing and brushing!
Lower Risk of Gum Disease
Gum disease happens when you can’t brush off all the plaque around your gum line, and misaligned teeth make it even more challenging to maintain clean gums.
Your teeth are straighter after braces, making cleaning plaque buildup on the gum line easier.
The result is cleaner gums that lower your risk of developing gum disease from excessive plaque buildup.
Decreased Jaw Pain
Bite misalignment can be painful if left uncorrected!
The joint between your lower and upper jaws, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ), experiences added strain if your jaws don’t line up correctly, resulting in discomfort or pain.
Aligning your bite will reduce your TMJ pain significantly, which makes it easier to chew, prevents you from grinding your teeth to relieve pain, and improves your overall oral health.
Best Ways to Care for Your Oral Health During Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatments often require devices that attach to your teeth — braces are the most common option. When you choose Orthobar for your Damon Ultima braces, they will be easier to clean than others.
However, even if Damon Ultima braces require more attention than not having braces, here are some things you can do to care for your oral health while wearing braces:
- Avoid sticky foods that could build up on your braces
- Brush and floss your teeth after every meal
- Use an interdental brush to clean hard-to-reach areas
- Rinse with mouthwash after brushing to remove loose food particles
- Visit your orthodontist for regular checkups
These simple steps will keep your teeth clean and prevent complications during treatment!
Will Braces or Aligners Make It Harder to Keep My Teeth Clean?
Caring for braces isn’t necessarily more complicated than cleaning your teeth without them, but it requires more attention to detail.
When you take a bit more time to prevent food buildup on your brackets and wires, caring for your braces is simple!
The same rule goes for clear aligners. Be meticulous about cleaning your teeth to prevent buildup that could keep your aligners from working correctly.
What Happens if I Neglect My Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment?
If you don’t focus on your oral hygiene while wearing braces or aligners, you could cause them to work improperly. Poor oral care during your orthodontic treatment could result in:
- An increased risk of cavities and gum disease
- Staining and decalcification (white spots) on your teeth
- Interference with your braces and inefficient tooth movement
Spending the extra time to maintain your braces will keep your mouth healthy and make your orthodontic journey an easy one!
Trust Orthobar With Your Oral Hygiene!
Our team is here to give you the guidance you need to make your time in braces a success at Orthobar.
Dr. Petersen and Dr. Grahl love helping patients care for their teeth by building a personalized care plan to help them have the best experience possible. They want you to see the smile of your dreams after your treatment!
Contact Orthobar today to schedule your complimentary orthodontic consultation with us.
