Orthodontics is a field that specializes in preventing and correcting irregularities related to the teeth and facial structure. As such, it fits right into the restorative and preventative mission of restorative dental hygienists, which is why it is a part of any restorative dental hygiene education.
The amount of benefits that stem from straightening and properly aligning a person’s teeth and jaw makes investing into treatment well worth it. As a restorative dental hygienist, you will be able to see these changes first hand as you see clients benefit from orthodontic procedures throughout your career. Keep reading to find out just how beneficial orthodontic treatment can be.
Orthodontics Can Correct a Number of Issues and Boost a Client’s Self Confidence
One of the benefits most commonly associated with having braces and other orthodontic treatments is smile improvement. Of course, a stellar smile boosts self-confidence and helps make a great first impression, but the benefits of orthodontics go way beyond simply straightening teeth for aesthetic purposes. Fixing bite alignment can correct a number of issues such as overbite or underbite, gaps between the teeth, speech impairments, and even breathing and swallowing problems that could be causing snoring or sleep apnea.
On the other hand, untreated orthodontic problems can contribute to poor oral health. The good news is that orthodontic treatment can be beneficial for people of all ages, which means that ita��s never too late for a client to get the dental care they need.
Restorative Dental Hygiene Courses Reinforce the Importance of Preventing Gum Disease
Aspiring restorative dental hygienists already know it’s important to prevent gum disease. Advancing your studies at a restorative dental hygiene school will help to reinforce this knowledge from the perspective of orthodontics.
When misaligned teeth remain crooked, they retain small crevices that are difficult to clean properly. These collect food, which turns into plaque buildup, and is soon followed by cavities and gum disease. As you may know, preventing gum disease is important for fending off other conditions such as heart disease. Timely orthodontic treatment can therefore potentially not only reduce a client’s future dental bills, but also improve their overall health as well.
Correcting an Improper Bite Can Benefit Digestion and Overall Wellbeing
If you become a restorative dental hygienist, you will be able to contribute to the overall wellbeing and health of your clients not only with regards to preventing the onset of gum disease. This is because orthodontic treatment also contributes to the alleviation of potential health problems associated with misaligned teeth or an improperly developed jaw.
One of the problems associated with malocclusion, often simply called a�?bad bitea��, is that it can lead to abnormal chewing, which can in turn cause a plethora of other unpleasant conditions. These can be solely related to oral health, such as the chipping and uneven wearing down of teeth, but can also extend to other aspects of health as well. Improper chewing may negatively affect digestion and nutrient absorption, thus creating a higher risk for acid reflux. It can even lead to headaches because of excess stress placed on the jaw and surrounding tissues. That’s a lot of problems that can be avoided with orthodontics!
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