The Healthy Benefits Behind Getting Braces

Corrective orthodontics like braces and Invisalign can help you transform your teeth into a beautiful smile, but they also can be good for your health. Dr. Christopher Rawle near Casselberry, Florida, helps patients improve both their appearance and their health.

People with malocclusion, the technical term orthodontists use for bites that don’t align, suffer from a variety of medical issues. Invisalign clear aligners can correct many problems.

Crooked or overcrowded teeth lead to tooth decay, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Crowded teeth are more difficult to clean properly, and Dr. Christopher Rawle has worked with many people in Casselberry, Florida, who have struggled with oral hygiene. Overlapping teeth are hard to brush, often leaving bacteria trapped in crevices. Flossing might be painful when teeth are crowded together.

Malocclusion may lead to tooth wear with basic daily activities, including talking and chewing. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and it forms a protective shell around the softer part of teeth, preventing the invasion of microbes. When the enamel breaks down, teeth become susceptible to cavities and decay.

Oral health issues can affect the entire body.

Overcrowding or crooked teeth can cause headaches, neck aches and shoulder pain. Some patients in Casselberry, Florida, also report muscle pain in the temples where the lower and upper jaws join near the ears, according to top orthodontist Dr. Christopher Rawle. Invisalign aligners can correct the problem in some cases and alleviate the pain.

Research links crooked teeth and bite issues to a number of complicated illnesses. Dr. Christopher Rawle cites several major medical studies. Did you know oral health has been linked to digestion issues because people with malocclusion may not properly chew? Another research team found a connection between poor oral health and irritable bowel syndrome.

Orthodontists have known for decades that misaligned teeth lead to gum disease. Recently, researchers have linked the inflammation of the gums to coronary artery disease. Dr. Christopher Rawle notes that people with malocclusion also may be at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Studying people who died with Alzheimer’s disease, a British research team discovered the presence of a bacterium in the brain of seniors who had experienced dementia. The same bacteria is present with chronic periodontal disease.

More than 1 million adults in North America have benefited from braces. Dr. Christopher Rawle near Casselberry, Florida, has helped hundreds of patients achieve their best smile and improved overall health with clear Invisalign aligners and braces.