The Healthy Benefits Behind Getting Braces in Spring Hill, KS

Aug/31/2015

Transform your teeth into a beautiful smile and improve your health with braces or corrective orthodontics like Invisalign. Dr. Heidi Harman Orthodontics near Spring Hill, KS, has helped many patients improve both their appearance and their health.

People with malocclusion, a word orthodontists use for bites that don’t align, suffer from a number of different medical issues. Invisalign clear aligners can fix many problems.

Tooth decay is one of an orthodontist’s primary concerns with crooked or overcrowded teeth because crowded teeth are more difficult to clean properly. Dr. Heidi Harman has worked with many people in Spring Hill, KS, who have struggled with oral hygiene. Overlapping teeth are difficult to brush and leave bacteria trapped in crevices, and flossing can be painful when teeth are crowded together. 

Malocclusion causes teeth wear with basic daily activities, including talking and chewing. Tooth enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, forms a protective shell around the softer part of teeth, preventing the invasion of microbes. If enamel breaks down, teeth become susceptible to cavities and decay.

The entire body may be affected by oral health issues.

Headaches, neck aches and shoulder pain are common problems. According to top orthodontist Dr. Heidi Harman, some patients in Spring Hill, KS, also report muscle pain in the temples where the lower and upper jaws join near the ears. Invisalign aligners can correct the problem and alleviate the pain, in some cases.

Scientific studies link crooked teeth and bite issues to a number of serious illnesses. The Dr. Heidi Harman cites several important medical research papers. Oral health has been linked to digestion issues, because people with malocclusion may not properly chew. According to another report, there is a connection between poor oral health and irritable bowel syndrome. 

Orthodontists have known for decades that gum disease can be caused by misaligned teeth. Recent research has linked the inflammation of the gums to coronary artery disease. Dr. Heidi Harman notes that people with malocclusion also may be at risk for a stroke or heart attack.

A British research team recently studied people who died with Alzheimer’s disease. They found the presence of a bacterium in the brain of seniors who had experienced dementia. The same bacteria is linked with chronic periodontal disease.

More than 1 million adults in North America have benefited from braces. Our orthodontist office near Spring Hill, KS, has helped hundreds of patients attain their best smile and improved overall health with clear Invisalign aligners and braces.