Do braces just straighten smiles, or does orthodontic correction also benefit your overall health? At Blome Family Dentistry in Lincoln, Dr. Greg Blome and Dr. Sara Wubbles assert that both oral and systemic health improve with braces. Learn more here about what braces do for people of all ages.
Braces for anyone
The American Association of Orthodontists says the best age for orthodontic correction is before age 14 when the bones of the face and the jaw are most receptive to treatment. However, adults can wear braces, too, and eliminate the gaps, crowding, bite problems and other issues which ruin self-confidence and lead to:
- Excessive, uneven and premature enamel wear and tear
- Bone and gum recession
- Gum disease
- Dental decay
- Oral abrasions (cheek biting, for example)
- Smiles which are difficult to brush and floss properly
At Blome Family Dentistry in Lincoln, braces are included on the long list of preventive, restorative and cosmetic services offered by Dr. Blome and Dr. Wubbles. A patient's individualized care plan may include correction with the most up-to-date types of metal, ceramic, or lingual (tongue-side) braces or special appliances, such as space maintainers (typically for children).
How braces benefit overall health
Orthodontia creates smiles which are well-aligned and correctly balanced in terms of how teeth bite together and how facial muscles and connective tissue operate. After treatment, patients experience:
- Clearer speech
- Less pain related to jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ/TMD), migraines and earaches
- Fewer oral abrasions from protruding front teeth
- Fewer chipped and cracked teeth (well-aligned teeth are less accident prone)
- Fewer conditions related to inflammatory processes within the body
Research from many well-respected sources, including the Forsyth Institute, links gum disease to stroke, heart attack, arthritis, dementia and more inflammatory conditions. Gum disease, with its bacteria-filled plaque and tartar, seems to occur more in people with poorly aligned and harder to clean teeth. In short, braces can help you be healthier over your entire lifetime.
Contact us
If you or a loved one would like to explore how braces could benefit oral and systemic health, please contact Blome Family Dentistry in Lincoln, NE, for a orthodontic consult. Learn your options for a great new smile. Call (402) 483-7000.