Beyond Cosmetics: Can A Straight Smile Also Improve Your Oral Health?

How do straight teeth improve my oral health?

Reports show that straight teeth have a positive correlation to healthy teeth because proper alignment makes it easier to clean and maintain. Crooked and crowded teeth are difficult to clean, which can lead to tooth decay, periodontal disease, and tooth loss.

How do straight teeth help my total body health?

We know you always hear the Ranieu’s dental team talking about the importance of good oral health is not just for your mouth, but your total body, and that’s because we want to look out for you like family. Studies show that maintaining healthy teeth and gums are important for health and that the health of your mouth has a direct link to your total body health. Because of this research, we know so much more now about this relationship, called the oral-systemic link. We now know that bad oral health can lead to a lot of serious health issues like:

• Heart attack
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer’s

Your mouth is the entry point to your body which means if it’s in poor health, bacteria, and oral disease easy access to a high-speed train to the rest of your body. Oral disease can affect the rest of your body in a few ways.

1. Bacteria from gums spreads to saliva, which can enter your respiratory system.
2. Bacteria from gums enters the circulatory system, causing disease or worsening conditions you already have.
3. Inflammation caused by gum disease can trigger your body’s inflammatory response triggering diseases like heart disease, or worsening conditions you already have.

You already know that maintaining regular professional hygiene cleanings paired with a good at-home oral health care routine is important. So now that we’ve explained more about how straight teeth help overall health, are you wondering how you can get a straight and beautiful smile?

Invisible Braces From Ranieu Family Dental Provides You the Perfect Solution.

How does Invisalign® treatment work?

First, you will meet with your dentist to discuss your smile goals. Our dentists are all experienced in Invisalign treatment and work with many patients to straighten their smiles. Next, your dentist will take a digital impression of your mouth and teeth using our advanced 3D scanning technology. The process is short and comfortable. Using the 3D scans, we will customize your clear plastic aligner trays and send it to our dental lab to make. In a few short weeks, your aligner trays will arrive at our office and you can begin treatment. Total treatment time varies by patient and how much movement is needed. You will wear each set of aligner trays for two weeks, gradually moving your teeth to the desired position, until treatment is complete. For best results, you should wear aligners for 22 hours each day.

Why Invisalign®?

Not only are the aligners invisible, but they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. They are also more comfortable than traditional braces, with no metal or wires, which means less time spent in your doctor’s office getting adjustments. Invisalign treatment also allows you to view your virtual treatment plan when you begin so you can observe how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How do I care for my teeth when wearing Invisalign clear aligners?

Care for your teeth in the same way you would normally, brushing and flossing twice daily. Oral care is much easier with Invisalign because the aligners can be removed to brush and floss. You should also clean your aligner trays daily. Your dentist will make sure you have good oral health and no gum disease before starting treatment, but you could still develop gum disease during treatment without proper oral health care.

What do I need to know before starting Invisalign treatment?

Your dentist will examine your mouth before starting treatment to ensure your gums are in good health. They are looking to make sure the gum tissue is healthy and not pulling away from your tooth. When gums are swollen, red or bleeding, this is a sign of periodontal disease. Your dentist also examines for any bone loss or gum recession. If moderate to severe periodontal disease is present, the disease will need to be treated before deciding if tooth movement is right for you. 

Good oral health is the foundation of everything, so if you have gum disease, you need a deep cleaning to restore your mouth to health before having any other work done, including Invisalign, teeth whitening, or dentures.

Is Invisalign® right for me?

Invisalign® is right for most adults who want straighter teeth. They are virtually invisible, are comfortable to wear, and offer the convenience and flexibility not found with other types of braces. If you can commit to wearing the clear aligners for 22 hours each day for the duration of your treatment, you will see the best results. The average treatment times are between 9 and 14 months. 

Invisalign can correct:

• Overcrowded teeth
• Misaligned teeth
• Crossbite
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Gaps in teeth

What If I’m Not A Candidate For Invisalign?