Improving More than just Aesthetics
At Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry, our number one goal is to help each one of our patients preserve the health of their smile. Most of our patients think that regular cleanings, good oral hygiene and a nourishing diet are enough to maintain good oral health. While these factors are all vital to the wellness of your smile, another important piece of the puzzle is a straight smile.
Most of our patients associate braces with achieving a picture-perfect, straight smile. But the cosmetic transformation braces bring to your smile isn’t the only reason we encourage straight teeth for you and your family. The benefits of straight teeth reach far beyond the aesthetics of your smile. Dr. Tinnel, Dr. Prinz and our team at Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry want you to know the hidden benefits of braces and the impact straight teeth have on a happy and healthy smile.
- Cavity Prevention
Did you know that crooked or misaligned teeth create the perfect environment for plaque and bacteria to reside? When your teeth are misaligned, the nooks and crannies serve as hiding spots for small particles of food. That hidden food turns into bacteria and plaque, and that bacteria turns into cavities. Even with regular check-ups and cleanings at our Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry, misaligned teeth are still more prone to cavities and complications.
When you correct the alignment with braces or clear aligners, you eliminate the nooks and crannies that food loves to hide in and make it easier to effectively brush and floss. So, braces actually help you fight cavities, gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health issues.
- Enhanced Function
Did you know that you can have straight teeth and still need braces? Braces and clear aligners move crooked teeth into their proper place, but they also work to properly align your bite and jaw.
Misaligned bites, or malocclusions, refer to how the jaws meet when the mouth is closed and are referred to as overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites. A misaligned bite can cause severe jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, and speech issues. The consistent, gentle pressure of braces helps teeth move into their proper place, addressing your malocclusions and creating harmony and optimal function in your bite.
- Speech Clarity
Sometimes braces can cause a slight alteration in your speech during treatment, but they definitely make up for that with their benefits of speech improvement after treatment is complete. Most malocclusions or misaligned jaws hinder your speech in one way or another.
As braces move your teeth and bite into proper alignment, you’ll notice improvements in your speech and clarity as well. Braces can also improve and correct the placement of your tongue, which can correct speech issues associated with a tongue thrust or incorrect tongue resting posture.
- Complication Prevention
Braces and clear aligners are both a time investment and a monetary investment. This investment extends into the future of your overall oral health, not just in the aesthetics of your smile.
At Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry, we believe braces and clear aligners are a proactive treatment approach that save patients from pain, discomfort, extensive dental procedures, and other issues associated with misaligned teeth. When you invest in your overall oral health with braces, you are preventing more severe complications from occurring in the coming years.
- Improved Digestion and Breathing
Although most of your digestion takes place in your small intestines, digestion actually starts in your mouth. Your teeth play a huge role in physically breaking down food into smaller particles before those particles are carried into your stomach and eventually into your small intestines. Misaligned teeth can negatively affect your ability to chew properly and may contribute to digestive issues.
Misaligned bites, open bites, crossbites, overbites or underbites can also contribute to breathing issues. The position of your jaw can affect the alignment of your airway and can cause a myriad of airway and breathing complications such as nasal breathing, sleep apnea, improper tongue position, and more.
- Dental Stability
Did you know that misaligned teeth are more vulnerable to wear and damage? Crooked teeth, or misaligned teeth, suffer an uneven distribution of pressure and forces, increasing the chances of tooth wear and fractures.
Misaligned teeth are more susceptible to trauma, especially in individuals who engage in contact sports. When your teeth are straight, the forces are evenly distributed on all of your teeth, decreasing the likelihood of injury and promoting the long-term health of your smile.
At Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to helping our patients preserve the health and aesthetics of their smiles. We encourage regular visits to our office, and we emphasize the importance that orthodontics play in achieving overall oral health.
If you have any questions about the benefits of straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment, call Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry today at 913-962-0036. We are ready to embark on a journey to overall oral health with you and your family!
