Whilst the aesthetic improvement that comes with wearing braces is widely known, this orthodontic device can do a lot more than make a person's smile more attractive. Here are two lesser-known perks of getting braces.

The improvements in tooth alignment produced by braces can make it easier for a person to keep their teeth clean

If a person is referred by their dentist to an orthodontist to fix their misaligned teeth, and the braces they wear correct this problem, they will probably find it easier to keep their teeth clean. When a person's teeth are crooked, they will often overlap to such a degree that the person cannot fit a string of floss or their toothbrush bristles in the minute gap between the affected teeth. This can lead to microscopic plaque bacteria flourishing in this area, which can cause two main issues; tooth decay and halitosis. The former can result in a person having to get their dentist to add fillings to the damaged teeth, whilst the latter may affect their confidence in social situations.

Braces, when worn for an extended period of time by a person like this, can realign the overlapping teeth to the point where there is a normal-sized opening between them, which the person can then clean quite easily with floss and a toothbrush. This, in turn, could spare the person the discomfort of having to undergo lots of other dental procedures to deal with tooth decay, and could also allow them to feel more at ease when conversing with others because they'll be confident that their breath smells fresh and clean.

Braces can help to correct some forms of speech impediments

Braces can also be utilised to correct some types of speech impediments. If for example, a person has one or more very large gaps between their teeth, this can sometimes result in them having a lisp, due to the air that passes through these openings when they exhale whilst speaking. A lisp of this kind can have a profound effect on a person's confidence and may result in them being reluctant to partake in social events, interviews or any occasions where they would be required to speak.

As such, even though large gaps between a person's teeth might not necessarily put them at risk of any major dental issues, their dentist might still advise them to get orthodontic treatment, as wearing braces could result in the closure of these gaps and the elimination of the lisp that was caused by these openings. 

For more info about braces, contact a local professional. 

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