Did you know scientific studies have proven that people who have their teeth straightened through orthodontic treatment have improved mental health? It makes sense, because people who don’t have that perfect smile that they’ve always dreamed about can have issues with their self-image. But that’s not the only benefit! There are many additional reasons to consider straightening your smile through the use of braces or Invisalign in Melbourne. Here are some of the additional benefits of straightening your smile.

Why a Straight Smile Matters

People with straight smiles exude more confidence and appear more happy and open to others. Invisalign and other companies have conducted surveys which show that people with straight teeth are viewed by other people as more confident, more attractive and more honest than people who smile less due to lack of self-confidence over their teeth.

We understand that these are cosmetic benefits, but it’s true. Most people do tend to “judge a book by its cover” when it comes to someone else’s smile. While there are also some very good physical health reasons for straightening your teeth, which we’ll cover in a moment, this is one of the most common reasons why people tend to seek out treatment from their orthodontist in Melbourne.

One of the best ways to keep your teeth looking healthy and white is through your daily oral health care. We recommend the following to all of our patients:

• Brush your teeth at least twice per day.
• Floss at least once a day, especially before bedtime.
• Use a mouthwash (preferrably a fluoride mouthwash) to rinse your teeth at least once a day.
• Keep up with twice-a-year visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning and check-up..

Taking care of your teeth in this way helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay (cavities), and keeps your teeth looking healthy and white.

Facts about Orthodontic Treatment in Melbourne

If your teeth are not straight, you will need the help of an orthodontist to fix them. The most popular ways of doing this are through some type of braces, or using the clear aligners such as Invisalign. Some people go through life and never need to have any orthodontic treatment. But the fact remains that at least 4 million people in America are undergoing treatment with braces at any given time.

We recommend that every child comes in for their first orthodontic visit no later than about age 7. This is a good time for your Melbourne orthodontist to check for misalignments in the teeth or jaw, and to see whether the mouth will have enough room for all the child’s adult teeth to come in straight and not overcrowded or crooked. If the orthodontist anticipates a problem, we can recommend a course of treatment.

If you notice that your child’s teeth are coming in crooked, Melbourne Orthodontics can help. Treatment with orthodontics can improve things like problems with biting or chewing, or even speech impediments in children.

Physical Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

People who have straight teeth are more likely to have healthy and white teeth. How does that work? By having straight teeth, you are less likely to develop gum disease or cavities. Straight teeth are simply easier to clean than crooked ones. A toothbrush might not be able to reach the surface of every tooth when a person has crooked teeth. This can leave plaque in place, which leads to cavities. Crooked teeth can also prevent people from properly flossing between all of their teeth, which causes further problems like gum disease.

Braces or Invisalign can benefit people at any age. Many adults can have their teeth straightened to give them a boost of confidence in their professional lives. People with straighter teeth are more likely to ace a job interview, due to their increased self-esteem and confidence.

Contact Us

If your child is approaching age 7, or if you are an adult who wants a straighter smile for the health and cosmetic benefits it provides, Contact Us at Melbourne Orthodontics. We will conduct a full exam and explain all of the various tools and methods available for straightening your teeth.