The importance of wearing your braces | Orthodontic experts (2024)

FAQs

The importance of wearing your braces | Orthodontic experts? ›

This occurs when bacteria begin to eat away at the bones. Braces move periodontal ligaments by stretching the connective tissues and nerves. Over time, the bones will naturally rebuild once they settle into their new spot.

The American Dental Association tells us that braces are used to correct bite problems and malocclusion. Correcting these problems helps prevent oral health issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, jaw problems and even tooth loss. Proper orthodontic care goes beyond simply improving your oral health.

Braces are used alongside other orthodontic appliances to help widen the jaw and even improve the jawline. If you have crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, it could be due to an overbite or an underbite. You don't need to worry, though, as there are treatments that can help restore your jawline.

By correcting the imbalance between the upper and lower jaw and fixing the way the teeth and jaws meet, the lower half of your face will appear more harmonious. Your features will look a lot softer and more proportionate.

Typically, the lateral incisors or the teeth next to your front teeth are the most challenging to move with Invisalign aligners and traditional braces. Invisalign trays have to be switched out every couple of weeks during the treatment period to accommodate moving teeth.

Better Overall Health

People who feel satisfied with their teeth are more likely to smile – and do so more often. This can significantly improve your health in a number of ways, starting with a better mood. Smiling can lift your spirits, increase positive thoughts, and help you feel happier overall.

Increased Risk of Oral Health Conditions

Crooked teeth are difficult to keep clean. They create small spaces that can easily trap plaque, bacteria, and food debris. As these dangerous particles continue to accumulate over the hours, days, and weeks, they dramatically increase your risk of oral health issues.

Some people wonder if the shape of their face will change with teeth braces, and the short answer is yes — this is true. Your body will react to how braces are shifting your teeth into their corrected positions, therefore, your face shape is also likely to change.

Orthodontic treatments do more than just straightening your teeth. Braces can also improve your cheekbones, jawline, and facial symmetry.

Lips will not become thinner, but they may appear thinner as the braces are removed. According to the type of braces your orthodontist used, the changes may or may not be pronounced. So, don't worry about getting any direct effects on the size of your lips.

Do braces change the way you talk? ›

About 40% of people will experience no changes whatsoever in speech. For many people, the effects are relatively minor and temporary. For others, it may take a few months or even longer to correct errors. The /s/ sound is affected most often.

As a result of this, the teeth can begin to cross over and appear crooked and irregular. This reduces the support in our cheeks and lips and leaves them appearing sunken. Straighter teeth may look great, but they also lift the mouth upwards, leaving the skin looking much younger and firmer.

Will braces make you look younger? While undergoing orthodontic treatment as an adult can make you feel like you're back in your teens – especially if you are wearing braces – it's actually after your treatment is completed that people really notice a more youthful appearance.

Fractures occur most often on the upper front teeth and the teeth toward the back of your lower jaw (mandibular molars). Though people commonly fracture one tooth, more severe injury or trauma may fracture multiple teeth. People with dental cavities have a higher risk of fracture, even with less severe trauma.

Molars: Your molars are your twelve back teeth—six on top and six on bottom. They are your strongest and widest teeth.

Do bottom teeth move faster than the top teeth with braces? Not necessarily. In general, how fast your teeth move with braces is different for everyone and depends on the treatment type and the severity and individual characteristics of a patient's malocclusion.

The best age to get braces will depend on the child themselves. This is because everybody grows at different rates; some children will go through puberty quicker and earlier than others. However, a general rule of thumb is your kids should look at getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14.

How do you know if you need braces? When determining if children need braces, there are certain signs to look for. These signs include things like crooked or crowded teeth, a large overbite or underbite, crossbites, and jaw asymmetries. Early or late loss of baby teeth can also indicate a need for braces.

Simply put, there is actually no age limit for someone to get braces. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there is a high number of patients fitted with dental braces every day over the age of 18. Typically, the only requirements dental professionals have is a healthy jaw bone and permanent teeth.

Additionally, headgear, retainers, or some other forms of wire are often necessary after the initial period of braces treatment is over. On average, however, braces tend to be worn for anywhere from one to three years. Age is another factor to take into consideration when discussing treatment times.