According to recent findings from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of every two adults aged 30 and over has periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, more commonly known as “gum disease,” is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth (American Academy of Periodontology). If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to loss of teeth and other chronic inflammatory diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
The next question then is “How do you prevent periodontal disease?” There are many risk factors that are associated with periodontal disease such as smoking, genetics, stress, and poor nutrition. While some risk factors such as genetics are inevitable, one can lower his/her risk of periodontal disease by taking good care of his/her oral health through regular and thorough flossing and brushing. That sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, many people neglect and/or fail in proper care of oral health. People with malocclusions have difficulty in properly brushing their teeth and making sure that plaque (or bacteria) does not build up around their gums. A malocclusion is a misalignment of the teeth that includes but not limited to an overbite, an underbite, and a crossbite.
Orthodontic treatment is commonly used to fix malocclusions and thus benefit periodontal health. But how, you may ask. The logic is simple. The buildup of plaque causes periodontal disease and plaque is easier to remove from teeth that are straight. Orthodontic care can correct poorly aligned teeth and by doing so, your teeth are easier to keep healthy and clean with flossing and brushing. Thus, you can avoid the risks of periodontal disease and other long-term health issues. That is not to say that orthodontic treatment is the ultimate solution to periodontal disease. However, orthodontic treatment can help you properly maintain good oral health which will have long-term benefits.
Orthodontic treatment not only enhances physical appearance and improves self-esteem, but also can help maintain good oral health long-term. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss benefits that orthodontic treatment can bring to you!