You may look at or think about braces and feel a sense of revulsion. We understand they may not be the prettiest things you can be adorned with, but the comforts they can bring once they are done can be well worth it. Braces can actually do more for you than just make your smile look more attractive. They can help you avoid potential cavities, gum disease and discomfort.
The issues can arise because of malocclusions. These are when your jaws do not line up correctly with each other, such as with an overbite where your upper jaw extends further than your lower jaw. Also crowded and misaligned teeth can be an issue.
These issues can make cavities and gum disease more common for you because they can make it difficult to brush and floss your teeth. The teeth can be angled awkwardly, which can prevent your trusty oral cleaning tools from reaching all the areas of your smile. Because of this, plaque can grow in those areas without hindrance. Plaque is what creates cavities and causes gum disease, and these problems can occur if you cannot clear all of it off your teeth.
Another issue is discomfort. Some malocclusions have the potential to put strain on your jaw. The strain can be felt in the temporomandibular joint, which is more commonly known as the TMJ. This joint is where your jaws connect to each other, and if the jaws pull it the wrong way, you can feel discomfort in that region. The discomfort can also be felt in other areas of your face, meaning you can feel headaches because of it.
Now not all malocclusions and misalignments can generate these problems. However, if you do have a malocclusion or a misalignment and you do struggle with discomfort and cavities even when you brush regularly, then perhaps braces can make you feel better. The braces can put your teeth in order so your brush and floss can reach all the areas of your teeth more easily. Braces can also align your jaws to relieve stress on your TMJ, which can put an end to the discomfort that may come because of it.
We can offer you a consultation here at Regal Dentistry in Riverside, California, to help you understand the benefits that braces can offer for you personally. Our dentist, Dr. Joel Manalese, can examine your smile and guide the treatment, so you can enjoy the comforts that can come from a properly aligned smile. Just call 951-643-4405, and we will be right there to help you.