Hey! I'm Frankie, and welcome to my dental advice blog. I'm a foodie and I love sweet treats, but I also love my teeth! It can be hard to keep your dental health in top condition when you've got a sweet tooth, but it's not impossible. Over the years, I've learned tons of great advice from friends, family members and dentists, and I'd love to share it with you. My blog is here to give you all the tips and tricks you need to stay free of decay and other tooth problems without giving up all your favourite foods and snacks.
Orthodontic treatment requires a significant investment of both time and money. Given this, it's important to think carefully about whether or not this it is the right choice for you. Here are two factors to consider before getting braces.
Aesthetics
Braces are usually made from metal. As such, if you're considering opting for standard braces, it's important to be aware of the impact that wearing them will have on the appearance of your smile. Because metal is a reflective material that catches the light very easily, they will be quite noticeable and could potentially make you feel self-conscious when you smile, talk or laugh.
If aesthetics are important to you and you want to minimise the impact that wearing braces will have on your overall appearance, it might be worth asking your orthodontist about getting Invisalign braces rather than standard metal ones. Invisalign braces are made from polyurethane resin, which is almost completely colourless and non-reflective; this means that your braces will be virtually undetectable.
Invisalign braces are usually more expensive than standard orthodontics; however, if you feel that wearing metal braces will have a negative effect on your self-confidence, they might be worth the investment.
Your oral health
Teeth that are crowded and overlap can make it very hard for a person to maintain good oral hygiene. When the spaces between one's teeth are extremely small, it can be next to impossible to access and clean them with floss or a toothbrush. This means that any bacterial plaque and food particles which get into these spaces cannot be fully removed; this, in turn, can significantly increase a person's risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease.
By correcting the position of overlapping teeth, braces can make it easier for individuals to keep their teeth and gums free from plaque and food, and thus enable them to maintain good oral health.
However, whilst the end result of orthodontic treatment may improve your oral health in the long run, the actual process of wearing braces could potentially damage your teeth and gums if you are not meticulous in regards to your oral hygiene.
This is because food debris and plaque can easily become stuck along the edges of the metal brackets. If these particles and microbes are not completely removed, the area behind and around the brackets may end up stained and eroded as a result of a process called decalcification.
As such, you should only invest in braces if you are willing to commit to a stringent and consistent oral hygiene routine.
Share16 June 2017
