Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that straightens your pearly whites so that you can smile with confidence. But did you know that orthodontics is also beneficial for your oral health? It’s true! A straight smile allows you better access to brushing and flossing your teeth and gumline, actively preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
While orthodontics effectively correct a variety of oral issues such as spacing, overcrowding, and misalignment, orthodontics also help prevent oral issues. Since our San Diego Orthodontic Specialists team offers a variety of orthodontic options for our patients in San Diego, California looking to align their smile, today we would like to take a closer look at how it benefits their oral health as well.
Do you have an overbite?
With an overbite, your upper teeth bite over your bottom teeth. This can cause gum irritation along with wear and tear of the bottom teeth resulting in jaw and joint pain if left untreated.
Do you have an underbite?
An underbite causes your bottom teeth to stick out further than your front teeth. This interferes with the normal function of your front teeth and your molars when you chew. Without treatment, you may experience pain in the jaw and joints.
Do you have an open bite?
With an open bite, several teeth don’t meet their opposite teeth making it difficult for you to chew correctly. Unless this is corrected, you may have problems with your speech, or pain when you chew and possibly resulting in TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).
Do you have a crossbite?
If your jaws are misaligned you will have a crossbite. This is where one or more of your upper teeth continuously hit the inside of the lower teeth when you bite down, causing wear and tear on tooth enamel leading to gum disease and potential bone loss.
Dr. David Li offers a variety of orthodontic treatment including traditional (metal) braces or clear (ceramic) braces, Damon® self-ligating braces, and Invisalign® clear aligners. If you would like to find out how orthodontics can create a healthier smile for you, please give San Diego Orthodontic Specialists a call at 858-487-8900 today. We look forward to helping you achieve the healthy, confident smile you deserve!