You may be considering orthodontic treatment to improve the alignment of your smile so you feel confident about your appearance. But have you ever considered how improving your smile may actually affect your health? Look over the following quiz to discover just how much you know about the benefits of orthodontics.

The Quiz

1. Choosing systems like Invisalign to improve the alignment of your smile may help you avoid problems like TMJ disorder
2. Improving your misalignment with orthodontic treatment will make your smile look better but you will still have to work just as hard to keep your teeth clean
3. Spaces between teeth are merely cosmetic and pose no threat to your oral health
4. Treating problems in a child’s mouth with orthodontic treatment before teeth develop an actually help prevent future malocclusions, or improperly aligned teeth and jaws
5. You may be able to preserve the structural integrity of your teeth by improving their alignment, so they fit together correctly

Your Answers

1. True. When your teeth and jaws fail to line up appropriately, your top and bottom teeth may absorb too much pressure in certain areas. This can also result in jaw strain, which often leads to TMJ disorder (TMD). Align your teeth, so your jaws joints can rest comfortably.
2. False. Problems like spacing and overlapping can make removing all debris from your smile difficult. You may have trouble effectively cleaning every surface of your teeth. Align your teeth for easier daily hygiene.
3. False. Spaces between teeth can make articulate speaking difficult. They can also trap debris, making it difficult to eat certain foods, and to thoroughly remove food and bacteria from your mouth during brushing and flossing.
4. True. By guiding teeth into place quite early, you may be able to avoid serious problems down the road. This allows a child to develop appropriate speech patterns and chewing habits.
5. True. When your teeth fit together poorly, they often come into contact more often than they should and with too much force. The result may include erosion, heightened sensitivity, fractures, and breakage.

About Your Fort Worth Orthodontist

Lake Country Orthodontics provides superb, customized orthodontic care in a calming office. He treats patients of all ages, from young children to adults. Dr. Cabal’s services include Invisalign, tooth-colored braces, and interceptive orthodontics for children. Dr. Ciro Cabal proudly treats patients from Lake Worth, Lake Country, Lakeland, Highlands, Saginaw, and the surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment at our Ft. Worth orthodontist office, call Dr. Cabal’s office at (817) 236-7846.