If you’ve ever considered strengthening your teeth with braces or Invisalign, your decision probably had a lot to do with the overall appearance of your smile. Since invisible aligners have the reputation of being more expensive than wire braces, most people pay for the latter option. However, not only are invisible aligners reasonably priced, but they’re also better for your teeth.
Top 6 Ways Invisible Braces Improve Oral Health
Although invisible braces help tremendously with your oral health, some are better than others. Only the best invisible aligners will give you all of the following benefits for your teeth.
1. Invisible Braces Straighten Teeth
While it’s true that both braces and invisible aligners can snag on the sides of your mouth and gums, it’s hard to protect your gums from wire braces. Improperly fitted aligners or too much excess plastic can undoubtedly hurt, but you can cut or resize them until they’re comfortable. No matter what you do, the wire will cut your mouth, leading to open sores and potential infection.
2. Invisible Braces Prevent Tooth Wear
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, making them harder to break than bones. However, when teeth grind against other teeth, they work against each other to wear themselves down or break. Invisible aligners protect our enamel from grinding as our teeth move, preserving tooth structure and effectively adding on decades to the life of our teeth.
3. Invisible Braces Minimize Jaw Pain
TMJ or TMD can occur due to an imbalance between your upper or lower teeth. Irregular and abnormal biting patterns can compromise the function of your jaw, which, over time, leads to minor compromised movements that lead to structural damage and joint pain. Invisible aligners put your teeth back into a natural biting position, eliminating pain, migraines, and fatigue.
4. Invisible Braces Reduce Tooth Decay Risk
Crooked, crowded, and misaligned teeth are the first places cavities develop because they’re hard to reach with brushing and flossing. A history of recurrent cavities could be related to your bite, and straightening your smile will do wonders. What’s more, invisible aligners can be removed, making it easier for you to brush your teeth. With wire braces, you need to work around the fixed brackets and wires. These instruments are hotbeds for bacterial growth.
5. Invisible Braces Help to Manage Periodontal Gum Disease
Misalignment can lead to several problems in our gums. Periodontal disease is a gum-related issue that causes receding gums, bad breath, bleeding from flossing or brushing, loss of tooth mobility, and tartar buildup. Not only can this condition lead to tooth loss, but periodontal gum disease is related to stroke, infertility, pneumonia, and heart disease. Strengthening your teeth can manage periodontitis and other diseases associated with a misaligned over/underbite.
6. Invisible Braces can Prepare the Mouth for Reconstruction or Implants
Patients who have lost teeth may need dental implants or reconstruction. However, if there isn’t enough room for your teeth, the orthodontist won’t be able to complete the operation. By aligning your teeth, you can create enough room for your dentist to restore your smile’s appearance and function. If realignment goes better than expected, you may not have to get implants at all. However, a retainer will be needed to preserve your optimal tooth alignment.
Final Thoughts
Invisible braces can benefit anyone at any age, but adults typically favor this method because they’re unnoticeable. Patients can remove invisible braces and thoroughly brush their teeth without worrying about getting anything stuck in wires or brackets. Invisible braces are better for your oral health, not just your smile, so you have more than one reason to invest in yourself.
You must be logged in to post a comment.