National orthodontic health month
For many, October means Halloween is right around the corner. For the dental health world, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. We are spending the whole month celebrating healthy smiles, educating more about the benefits of orthodontic treatment, and the importance of good oral health.
Wondering why orthodontic treatment is important? Here are four reasons why:
1. Helps with clearer speech
Straight teeth help you articulate your words - this allows you to speak with clarity and confidence. There are three common speech problems that orthodontics can help with.
Lisp or whistling
A common cause of the development of a lisp or whistle is an overbite. This is where the upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth too much. Another reason could be attributed to gaps between teeth, which impede the correct placement of the tongue and allow air to escape while talking, creating a whistling sound. At Impress, our tech-enabled orthodontic treatments can correct overbites and close the gaps between teeth.
Word slurring
Our tongues need the freedom to move to be able to form words correctly and regulate talking speeds. If the jaw’s structure or placement of teeth restricts that movement, stuttering or slurred speech is more likely to happen. In most cases, orthodontic care can align the teeth and open up room for the tongue.
Mispronunciation
Certain sounds are challenging to pronounce when teeth aren’t where they’re supposed to be in your mouth. For example, fricative consonant sounds like “T,” “S,” or “CH” require tongue-to-tooth contact. Orthodontic treatment moves teeth into the place they need to be for better pronunciation.
2. Boosts self-confidence
Having a beautiful smile is about more than just looks. You can reap mental, emotional, and physical health benefits by smiling more often. Don’t believe it? Check out these stats:
99.7% of people think smiles matter socially - probably because it's the first thing people notice about you.
96% of people think an attractive smile makes some more physically appealing.
74% of people think an unattractive smile can make you less successful.
A great smile doesn’t just look good–it acts as a confidence booster and a way to build better self-esteem. When you smile at another person–or even at yourself in the mirror–the action releases endorphins in the brain. These endorphins make you feel calm, happy, and positive. This then, in turn, elevates your self-confidence.
3. Improves bite functionality
Your bite is the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. If your upper teeth fit slightly over your lower teeth and your molars’ points fit the opposite molars’ grooves, you have a healthy bite. Sometimes a bite that fits properly is referred to as an ideal bite or a normal bite.
Your teeth, when you chew naturally, should easily fit together and comfortably. Think of your ‘bite’ as the parts of an engine that work to break up food. If one part starts to wear or break down, others are soon to follow.
Symptoms people experience when their ‘bite” is off are a sore jaw, neck pain, more tooth wear on a tooth or side, and even headaches. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment works to eliminate symptoms and realign your bite for better functionality.
4. Impacts on overall oral health
Straight teeth allow for better hygiene. You can brush, floss, and keep your gums healthy with straighter teeth. Crooked teeth are hard to clean effectively, which means that debris, plaque, and bacteria can build up in hard-to-reach areas.
Without proper care of your teeth, you are more likely to develop gum disease or tooth decay.
In addition to minimizing oral health diseases, proper alignment of teeth also lessens tooth trauma risk. A misaligned bite can quickly damage tooth enamel. Every time the mouth bites or chews food, it creates intense pressure on teeth. If those teeth are not in alignment, they can strike each other and cause premature wear and tear of tooth enamel. In some cases, bite issues can even lead to tooth chips and cracks. And once enamel is gone, it does not come back.
Orthodontic treatment helps ensure the proper function of teeth and create healthy smiles. From clearer speech and oral health to bite functionality and self-confidence, orthodontic treatment is crucial to consider. If you are interested in orthodontic care, meet one of our orthodontists for your free consultation today, and learn more about our tech-enabled care approach.
Now's the right time to get the healthy, confident smile you deserve. Book your free consultation by giving us a call at 888.490.142 or schedule online here.
