Straightening Your Teeth With Braces

If you have been wanting to straighten your teeth, you might consider wearing braces. Braces have helped many children, teens and adults to improve their appearance and their oral health.

The American Association of Orthodontists cautions that having crooked, crowded teeth makes you more susceptible to gingivitis (gum disease) and cavities. The problem stems from the difficulty cleaning your teeth and gums with good oral hygiene practices. It’s harder to clean when the teeth aren’t spaced correctly.

Also, a misaligned smile can lead to premature enamel erosion from uneven wear and tear. When teeth aren’t aligned, they can also impact speaking and chewing problems. Even the bone material and oral tissues that surround the teeth can be affected.

So, how do braces straighten teeth? With the help of brackets, wires, and small rubber bands (known as ligatures), braces apply a steady, continuous pressure to gradually shift teeth into position over a period of time. This shifting movement also repositions the oral tissues and blood vessels that hold the teeth. This changes both the gum ligament and alveolar bone, allowing reabsorption and reformation.

If you have any questions for our staff about wearing braces, we invite you to call our Helm Orthodontics team at 303.371.0371 to be seen in Denver, Colorado. Our dentist, Dr. Dr. Nathan Helm is ready to help you achieve a healthy, aligned smile!