Teeth aligners serve several purposes beyond helping you achieve a perfect smile. They can enhance your overall oral health and restore your teeth functionality. Whether you have a bite problem or irregularly shaped teeth, your orthodontist may recommend clear braces to restore your bite and smile. Here are five ways teeth aligners can help your teeth:
1. Correct Bite Problems
If you are struggling with a bite issue, such as underbite, overbite, or crossbite, wearing teeth aligners can help correct the problem. If left untreated, bite problems may worsen, potentially leading to jaw pain or gum disease. They could also contribute to self-consciousness or low self-esteem, particularly when smiling or during social interactions. Aligners work by exerting consistent pressure on the misaligned teeth. Over time, this pressure forces misaligned teeth and jaws to move into the desired position. An orthodontist will examine your teeth and jaws to determine the right braces that will help restore your teeth’s alignment.
2. Fix Irregularly Shaped and Crowded Teeth
Some bite issues may be accompanied by irregularly shaped or crowded teeth that cause pain or discomfort in the jaw and surrounding muscles. Orthodontists may recommend clear braces that can straighten or add space between teeth. Invisible braces like Invisalign gradually push your teeth into proper alignment, adding space between each tooth. As your teeth shift, you may have to be refitted for a new set of braces. Other types of braces use wires to exert pressure that moves teeth into a desired position, resolving overcrowding.
3. Enhance Oral Hygiene
During an orthodontic treatment period, patients should maintain good oral hygiene to prevent plaque buildup. Wearing clear braces may make it easier to maintain an oral hygiene routine as your teeth are realigned. They can be removed easily for brushing and flossing, and an orthodontist may recommend cleaning your invisible braces by soaking them in a solution of water and antibacterial soap. Post-treatment, oral hygiene should become simpler, since straight, adequately spaced teeth are easier to brush and floss.
4. Improve Biting and Chewing
Bite problems and irregular teeth might inhibit the proper biting and chewing of food. These issues may be accompanied by misaligned jaws, which could also make eating more difficult. Individuals with these issues may have limited diets that favor foods that are easy to chew. Invisible braces can help realign your teeth and jaws, restoring your bite and making it easier to chew. With less pain, you can add foods to your diet that were previously hard to eat.
5. Prevent Uneven Wear on Your Teeth
Misaligned or crowded teeth can trigger bad habits like teeth grinding, which might cause some teeth to wear out at a faster rate. Teeth that are not in their correct positions bear the brunt of the chewing force. If not addressed on time, this issue can cause some teeth to wear out unevenly while leaving others intact. In some cases, unevenly worn teeth can chip or break. Wear teeth aligners to correct crooked or crowded teeth to avoid potential complications. The right orthodontic appliances will shift your teeth to the correct positions, helping to evenly distribute forces while chewing. Correcting misaligned teeth will also help you avoid grinding habits.
Get Clear Braces to Resolve Orthodontic Issues
Invisible braces are an effective option for aligning or straightening teeth and repairing bite problems. They are discreet and less noticeable than metal braces, blending in with the natural hue of your teeth. This alternative to traditional metal braces can help you seek a better smile. Contact a trusted orthodontist today to be fitted for clear braces to straighten your teeth.