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About 4 million people in the US wear braces. While 75% are under the age of 18, 25% are adults. Every member of your family can benefit from braces!

Are you on the fence about starting your child on braces treatment? It helps to understand the benefits of braces before you make the choice.

That way, you can make the best possible decision for your child and their oral health.

Here are the nine smile-worthy benefits of having braces you and your child can enjoy. Keep reading to learn more today!

1. Improves Oral Health

Many people focus on how braces can straighten the teeth. They don’t realize that braces can impact a person’s overall oral health, too.

For example, crooked teeth are often more difficult to brush, floss, and keep clean. By straightening their teeth, your child will find it easier to maintain their oral health. As their oral hygiene improves, they’ll reduce their risk of cavities and oral disease.

Otherwise, they’re leaving their teeth at risk.

When cavities develop, they destroy the bone responsible for holding teeth in place. Your child could lose their baby or adult teeth. If they lose their adult teeth, they’ll need to consider cosmetic dentistry options.

By helping your child understand the benefits of braces treatment, you can get them started right away. The sooner they start treatment, the sooner you can halt any orthodontic issues like their bite or crowding.

Does your child need braces? Here are a few signs to watch out for.

2. Ends Speech Problems

Does your child have misaligned teeth? What about a malocclusion, or a misalignment when their jaw closes? These orthodontic issues could cause chronic speech problems.

Your child might have a difficult time pronouncing certain words. They could develop a lisp as well.

Some children whistle when they make certain sounds.

These speech problems occur because there’s a gap between their lower and upper teeth. A desire to fit in could cause your child to develop self-esteem issues if their speech impairments persist.

Understanding the benefits of braces for teeth could help. By straightening your child’s teeth, the gaps will disappear, ending their speech impairments.

3. Aids Chewing and Digestion

Crooked teeth could make it more difficult for your child to chew their food. They might develop misaligned bites, which could cause muscle stiffness and jaw pain.

Some children avoid eating to limit the pain, which could cause malnutrition.

If your child isn’t eating properly, consider the benefits of braces. Wearing braces can help their bite, allowing them to chew better. When they chew better, their digestion will improve, too!

4. Avoid Gingivitis

6 out of 10 teenagers suffer from gum disease or gingivitis.

Gum disease occurs when particles of food get stuck between the teeth. Over time, these particles mix with bacteria and saliva, allowing plaque to form. Plaque can harden into tartar, which only a professional can clean off.

When left untreated, the bacteria in tartar can harm the teeth and gums. Inflammation will build, and with it, the pain. The gums will begin to erode away from the teeth. Your child could lose their teeth as a result.

The symptoms of gingivitis include:

• Bright, swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• A bad taste
• White spots of plaque on the gums
• Pus between gums
• A change in how teeth fit together
• Gums receding from the teeth
• Loose or lost teeth

Leaving gaps between the teeth makes it easier for food particles to hide. One of the benefits of braces treatment is its ability to close these gaps.

Wearing braces, combined with good oral hygiene, can help your child avoid gingivitis. 

Otherwise, the condition could develop into periodontitis, which could have a negative impact on their overall health.

5. Prevent Jawbone Erosion

If there are gaps between your child’s teeth, the teeth likely don’t have support. In time, your child’s jawbone and gums will start to erode.

Bacteria will continue to eat away at their bones, too. Over time, this could lead to tooth loss.

By starting your child on braces treatment, you can help them avoid jawbone erosion. 

6. Fewer Headaches

Crooked teeth can cause a misaligned bite to develop. Your child could have a difficult time biting or chewing. Meanwhile, their teeth are more likely to wear out quickly, which can lead to lost teeth.

In some cases, a misalignment can cause teeth grinding. In addition to causing wear and tear on the enamel, grinding can also lead to headaches.

Does your child clench their teeth together? In addition to headaches, they might also develop tight jaw muscles. They could begin chewing the inside of their cheeks or develop jaw soreness.

If these symptoms sound familiar, talk to your dentist about the benefits of retainers after braces. Wearing a retainer could help your child avoid teeth grinding when they sleep.

7. Avoid Injuries

Crooked teeth are more susceptible to accidents, too. 

When their teeth are straight, it’s easier for your child to close their lips around them to cover their teeth. When teeth protrude, however, they could struggle to close their mouth completely.

It’s easier to knock one of these teeth out during an accident.

8. Save Money in the Longrun

The gaps your child has now could get worse over time. Their risk of developing gum disease could increase as a result.

If your child develops gingivitis, they’ll need to return to the dentist for regular treatments. You might need to consider orthodontic treatment as well, to close the gaps.

By starting them on treatment now, you can save time, money, and pain in the long run.

9. Boost Confidence

If their teeth are protruding and crooked, they might start to feel self-conscious about their smiles. They could start to hide their smile as a result.

Instead, give their confidence a boost! Straight teeth can influence how your child sees themselves. That confidence boost can make a big difference in their lives. 

Your child can enjoy their straighter smile into their life ahead.

Grinning Ear to Ear: Nine Smile-Worthy Benefits of Braces

Give your child the head start they need. By understanding the benefits of braces now, you can get them started on treatment right away. Instead of worrying about their oral health, you can protect them from problems down the road. 

Not sure if your child needs braces? We can help!

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.