Besides Straight Teeth, What are the Benefits of Braces?

Last Updated on June 19, 2019

Besides Straight Teeth, What are the Benefits of Braces?

We all want the best for our kids, and we worry about their ability to socialize and fit in with their peers. When we think of braces, we often think of the process of straightening up a crooked smile for the aesthetic reward. While this is an intended result, it’s not the only effect. So, what are the other benefits of braces? There are more than you probably realized. 

1. Decrease Your Child’s Chance of Developing Gum Disease

Is it really necessary to wear braces if your child’s teeth aren’t terribly spaced apart? Even if it’s not that noticeable, failing to address improper spacing in areas that aren’t immediately noticeable can make it difficult for your child to properly care for their gums.

2. Reduce Places for Stray Food to Hang Out

When food gets stuck in your child’s teeth, it will be a start to the development of cavities. Especially at a young age, this type of deterioration only leads to bigger problems later on down the road. By straightening the teeth with braces, you reduce the spaces in between teeth, thus reducing places for food to linger.

3. Fix Speech Impediments

In order for your son or daughter to be able to speak clearly and easily, it helps to have straight teeth. Certain dental placement can make it difficult to enunciate particular sounds. If your child suffers from a speech impediment, we’d love to take a look and see if the problem lies in their dental layout.

4. Improve Digestion

When your child is unable to properly digest food, they face a number of risks including:

• Improper nutrition
• More cases of upset stomach
• Increased risk of constipation

When your child’s teeth aren’t properly aligned, their teeth are unable to grind down the food properly. Think of a pair of scissors when the blades don’t touch… it just doesn’t cut right.

5. Increase Your Child’s Chances of Success

Some people seem ashamed to boost their own self-confidence. While this can be an unattractive trait when overdone, the right amount of self-esteem can take your child a long way.

A sincere smile goes far in helping your child look and feel their best. Especially when their misalignment causes speech issues, many kids avoid putting themselves out there due to the real possibility of rejection. Our staff understands just how damaging this can be, and we can work to arrange the most viable plan to secure your child’s future.

6. Braces Can Even Reduce Injuries

What are the other benefits of braces? I’ll bet you never considered a reduced chance of injury. When teeth don’t line up straight, it puts your child at higher risk of chips, cracks, and even knocked-out teeth. This is common in association with:

• Crashes
• Sports
• Accidents around the house

Especially if your child likes to roughhouse, injury can become a considerable concern. Not only can they hurt themselves, but they can even hurt others. For example, protruding teeth at high impact can cause real damage.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Having Braces?

We are willing to make sacrifices in life when we know the investment will pay off in the long run. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of having braces? Let’s review some of what we’ve learned and examined a couple downsides:

Advantages

• Reduces the risk of gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay
• Improves digestion
• Reduces the risk of certain injuries
• Prevents tooth erosion
• Improves speech

Disadvantages

• Can take two to three years to straighten teeth
• Wearers sometimes have to give up foods they love like corn on the cob or popcorn
• Can be difficult to adapt to speaking while wearing braces
• Flossing can be difficult as the string can get tangled in the braces

Is it really necessary to wear braces? The benefits outweigh the disadvantages considering their long-term positive impact on life.

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Could Invisalign Work?

There are alternatives to braces, and our staff is here to help you understand your options. Invisalign is a popular alternative. Despite what many think, it actually costs around the same as braces. There are two main reasons, however, why this may not be the right option for your child:

• They suffer from severe orthodontic issues that require braces to correct
• You don’t think they’d take consistent care of them

Our staff understands that, when applied under the right circumstances, Invisalign offers a less invasive option over braces. When you meet with our orthodontist, we’ll take a complete analysis to ensure we make your child’s experience as pleasant as possible. The primary goal, however, is to ensure dental problems are fixed once and for all to allow your child the comfort and confidence they deserve in their smile.

Is There an Optimal Age for Maximum Benefits of Braces?

Anyone at any age with dental misalignments can benefit from braces. They work on the human anatomy the same as they slowly move your child’s teeth in place. As the parent, it’s up to you to ensure they’re able to take advantage of the ideal time to get braces between the ages of around 10 and 14.

During this span of your child’s life, both the mouth and head are still growing. This makes it a great time to coax teeth in the right direction since they’re more compliant to change.

Confidence That’ll Last a Lifetime

Your child’s smile will allow him or her to express their most positive emotions in life, and we want to ensure that they won’t want to hide it. Our orthodontists and staffs are experienced, and we put our tools and education to work in providing confidence that’ll last a lifetime. Call to schedule your appointment today.

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McDermott Orthodontist
708 Elm Ave. E.
Delano, MN
55328
TEL: 763-972-4444

Besides Straight Teeth, What are the Benefits of Braces?

Mike McDermott

Dr. Michael McDermott earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Chemistry and Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He followed his undergraduate degrees with a doctorate in dental surgery at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with highest distinction.

Dr. Mike then furthered his dental education by earning a masters and certificate in Orthodontics at the University of St. Louis in Missouri.