Did you know that more than 4 million people in America alone have braces? Many people think that getting braces is a cosmetic choice to get straighter and more attractive teeth. While this is certainly a reason that many people get braces, there are also more important reasons to get braces.
For example, straightening your teeth could help you chew and speak better, and it might even relieve jaw pain if your jaw is misaligned. But does getting braces hurt, and what is the process like? Keep reading and learn more about the process of getting braces below.
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Why Is Getting Braces Important?
“What do braces do? Do I need braces? Why get braces in the first place?”
If you’re asking yourself these questions, the first thing you should know is that getting braces can seriously help improve your dental health.
Many people with crooked teeth have a difficult time getting their teeth clean. That’s because when your teeth are crowded together, your toothbrush won’t have the opportunity to clean all the sides of your teeth.
This is the same case with floss. If you are unable to clean certain parts of your teeth because your teeth are too crooked, you will be at a higher risk of developing certain dental conditions such as tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. These diseases occur because of the actions of certain bacteria strains that live in your mouth.
Whenever you eat food, these bacteria will latch onto the food particles on your teeth and start to produce acid as they metabolize the food. As a result, this acid will break down your tooth enamel and cause all sorts of tooth problems. When you straighten your teeth with braces, you will have access to all sides of your teeth, and you will be able to clean them properly.
Besides that, braces can help fix misaligned jaws and bite abnormalities. For example, if your teeth are very crooked, they might actually be straining your jaw. When your jaw is strained, you can experience all sorts of ills such as neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, jaw pain, and more.
Crooked teeth can also make it difficult to pronounce certain words and even chew food properly. As you can imagine, all of these problems combined can make life pretty difficult. But fortunately, braces can solve all of these problems in the span of a year or two.
The Process of Getting Braces
You might be asking yourself, “Does getting braces hurt?” There are some points in which having braces can be uncomfortable, but you should know that getting and having braces, in general, is not a painful process. The most uncomfortable part of braces is when you get them put on your teeth for the first time.
Braces consist of brackets and wires. Your dentist will glue the brackets to the center of each of your teeth and then connect them with wires and rubber bands. The wires that connect the brackets are especially important because they are what pull your teeth into place over the span of several months.
When you first get your braces, these wires will be very tight, and you will likely experience some level of discomfort. That’s because your teeth aren’t used to the braces yet, and the discomfort is a result of your teeth being pulled by the wires. However, after a few days, this discomfort will lessen as your teeth slowly start to move and become straight.
You will need to come back to the dentist every so often to get the wires tightened again. As your teeth move, the wires of the braces will start to loosen as a result. If you keep the wires loose, they will no longer have the power to straighten your teeth.
For that reason, you will need to go back to the dentist several times to keep the wires tight. Besides that, your dentist will be able to examine the progress of your teeth and if there are any problems that need to be addressed. Your dentist might even give you some tips on how to care for your teeth while you have braces so you don’t skip out on your dental hygiene.
The Benefits of Braces
One of the biggest benefits of braces is having better self-esteem. Many people are so ashamed of their crooked teeth that they try to keep themselves from smiling or laughing. Of course, no one should feel like they have to hide their smile from the world.
By getting braces and achieving a more attractive smile, you will immediately feel more confident about yourself. You’ll no longer feel the need to cover your smile or keep from smiling altogether. You will also experience the functional benefits of straight teeth.
For example, some people with crooked teeth have a hard time chewing certain types of food. If you are unable to chew your food properly, the food can actually irritate your stomach and interfere with your digestion. By putting your teeth into the right places, this will no longer be a problem, and you’ll be able to chew food as everyone else does.
Having straight teeth can also allow you to speak more clearly. If your teeth are crowded, there won’t be a lot of room for your tongue to move. With straight teeth, your mouth will have much more room, and you’ll be able to speak clearly.
All About Getting Braces
Getting braces doesn’t have to be as bad as you might think it is. In fact, straightening your teeth comes with many benefits, such as having more self-esteem and better dental hygiene.
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