A Healthy Smile

Straight teeth are a beautiful thing. Having straight teeth usually boosts confidence because they look good and create a beautiful smile. Braces are often the best way to get perfectly straight teeth, and that’s why many people in Hagerstown, MD get braces every year. However, there are more advantages to having straight teeth than simply being happier with your smile and more confident. Straight teeth also mean a healthier smile.

One of the major uses of braces is to fix the spacing of teeth. When teeth are too closely spaced, it puts pressure on the gums. Gums can become red and inflamed, which is a possible indicator of disease. They are left more vulnerable to damage and disease. Similarly, when teeth are spaced too widely apart gums are more prone to infection. When teeth are properly placed gums can fit against the teeth most securely, which helps prevent and defend against disease.

The spacing of teeth also comes into play when cleaning. Teeth that are set too closely together can be difficult to floss, and the position of teeth in the mouth can prevent proper brushing. Flossing and brushing ought to be able to thoroughly cover every tooth, so this can cause a raised risk for disease like tooth decay. Braces align teeth so that they can be best reached with floss and a tooth brush and kept clean and healthy.

Teeth that jut out at angles can rub against the gums, tongue or other parts of the mouth and cause irritation. This can be an ongoing problem, and while not necessarily damaging, can still cause distress. Underbites, crossbites, overbites and other alignment problems with teeth can lead to tooth and jaw aches because of the constant strain they put on the mouth. Braces can fix problems with alignment as well as straighten an individual tooth. Straight teeth that are aligned properly will not cause this sort of discomfort, because they do not poke into or rub against any sensitive part of the mouth. They make for a comfortable, natural bight.

Getting teeth straightened with braces is not purely cosmetic in any sense. Although braces create beautiful smiles and boost confidence, they also help people preserve the health of their teeth. Braces will, in the long term, promote better hygiene by allowing for better brushing and flossing, decrease the risk of certain diseases associated with the gums and fix alignment problems that can cause aching and distress later in life. Braces are just one powerful way that the people of Hagerstown, MD create more beautiful, healthier smiles.