Our teeth and gums say a lot about our overall health. If you're taking good care of both, you're probably taking good care of the rest of your body. Bacteria causes gum disease and tooth decay and when these conditions are left untreated, they can cause sores, bleeding gums, bad breath, mouth sores and eventually can lead to tooth loss. The American Dental Association studies have shown that these oral conditions and infections can also lead to more serious ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and pneumonia.

When you have teeth that are too crowded or widely spaced this too can lead to periodontal disease because it is harder to keep the crowded areas properly cleaned and food can sit in the spaces between your teeth, but when your teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for strong, healthy bones and gum tissue which is the best defense against periodontal problems. Daily flossing and brushing are more effective. In addition, when your teeth are aligned properly it can alleviate the issues that can be caused by an improper bite, such as jaw problems, headaches associated with TMD, increased wear on the tooth enamel which can lead to tooth fractures and loss, speech and chewing difficulties.

When patients come in with these oral conditions I recommend that they correct the crowding and spacing to improve their gums as well as the position of their teeth. There are great systems that can do this effectively and address all of these issues, they are invisible and no one will ever know you are wearing them, so you'll have the confidence of a beautiful smile and improved oral health.

Invisible braces is a great way to straighten your teeth without visible, bulky metal braces they come in a series of clear, removable aligner trays that are used to gradually straighten your teeth. They are easy to use, comfortable to wear and are invisible; no one will ever know you are wearing them! You will wear each set of aligners for the recommended two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss, with the exception of water, which is allowed while the trays are in. With traditional metal braces one of the biggest issues is removing the food particles that get trapped in the brackets and wires, which if not cleaned properly can often lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. With the ability of  the aligner trays being removable to eat and drink you are able to brush and floss as usual which keeps your teeth clean and healthy during treatment.

As you replace each aligner tray with the next in the series, your teeth will move little by little every week moving until they have straightened your teeth to the desired final position. You'll visit our office about once every four to six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned and total treatment time averages 9 to 15 months and the average number of aligners during treatment is between 18 to 30, but both the length of time and amount of trays will vary for each patient individually.

Soon you will have the beautiful straight teeth you've always desired and the added benefit of healthy gums and teeth, it is great for adults and teenagers. 

For more detailed information go to a few websites to research the systems available, I use and recommend www.invisiline.com 

*Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the personal care of a doctor or dentist.