If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment with braces, Dr. Heidi Harman and the team at H2O Orthodontics near Westport, MO provide complete information to their patients considering treatment with braces. If you are curious if braces can help you achieve your orthodontic treatment care goals, here are five common orthodontic problems that braces can correct.

What Are the Top Five Problems That Braces Can Correct?

Braces are indicated for correcting several orthodontic issues. The top five orthodontic problems that braces can correct are:

1. Misaligned jaw

2. Misaligned teeth due to:

• Overcrowding

• Spaces between teeth

• Misshapen teeth

3. Misaligned bite due to:

• Overbite

• Underbite

4. Periodontal (gum) problems

5. Dental hygiene issues due to poor orthodontic conditions

Braces slowly move the alignment of your teeth through the strategic placement of the brackets and bands. This movement realigns the overbite/underbite and helps close the gaps between the teeth. The specialists at H2O Orthodontics near Westport, MO stress that if these problems are left untreated, you may run the risk of permanent damage to your teeth, jaw, and mouth.

What Long-Term Health Benefits Do Braces Bring?

• Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, thus reducing tooth decay, gum disease and gingivitis.

• A correct bite allows your teeth and mouth to chew food the way they’re supposed to.

• Improper teeth alignment puts extra wear and pressure on adjacent teeth, causing them to wear faster.

• Correct teeth alignment may also help to correct associated speech issues.

If braces are new to you, it is normal to feel some discomfort in and around your mouth during the first few weeks of treatment. The alignment of your teeth and jaw are just beginning to change and improve the overall structure of your mouth and jaw. Over-the-counter pain medication may help to alleviate some of the pain that you might experience after your initial orthodontic treatment. Remember to avoid any hard or sticky substances, such as gum and hard candies, which can cause harm or damage to your braces.

What are Braces Made of?

Through both the major dental and orthodontic enhancements we’ve seen over the years, braces have become more comfortable and less noticeable than they’ve been in the past. However, if you’re thinking about getting treatment through traditional braces, they are made up of their three basic metal parts:

• A bracket

• A bonding mechanism or band

• An arch wire

How Do Braces Work?

Braces work by gradually being tightened throughout the course of your treatment, creating a shift in the alignment of both your teeth and jaw and slowly moving them toward their healthy and proper position.

Braces can help virtually every patient achieve the healthy mouth and picture-perfect smile they have always wanted. For more information regarding braces near Westport, MO, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Heidi Harman and H2O Orthodontics, please call (913) 782-7223.