How Orthodontics Can Improve Overall Health

When we think about orthodontics, we often think about the desire for straight, beautiful teeth. And while this goal can indeed be met through the use of orthodontic treatment, it can help achieve even more than that! For example, it can improve your speech and bite by aligning your teeth correctly and, in recent years, it’s even been found that orthodontic treatment has been linked with your overall health as well!

For a long time, we’ve known that mouth issues such as periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) can have a very negative impact on your overall health. So it’s not a huge jump to be now be finding even more links between oral and overall health.

Below are a few of the recent associations between dental health and the health of your entire body:

• Oral bacteria can infect the arterial cells in your heart and weaken the walls of the heart.
• Women who suffer from gum disease are more likely to have preterm babies.
• Loose teeth are a warning sign of impending osteoporosis, which weakens the bones.
• Oral inflammation and swelling has been linked to clogged arteries.
• Some studies suggest women with gum disease are more likely than those without gum disease to deliver preterm, low-weight babies.

Gum Disease & Orthodontics

Now that we’ve established the link between gum disease and health problems, what do orthodontics have to do with anything? Put simply, it’s easier to clean and care for straight teeth than it is crooked teeth. When your teeth are in a straight line, there are less nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide. Brushing and flossing are able to remove much more debris in straightened teeth, lowering the risk for gum disease.

The bottom line is this: caring for your teeth will make it easier for you to care for your entire body! To take a step towards a healthier life, please contact Lockett Orthodontics today! We’re located in Denver, Colorado.