Arnold, MO orthodontists fix smiles for better oral health

Your Arnold, MO orthodontist complements general dentistry with braces and Clear Correct aligners. Read about the health benefits of orthodontics.

Cavities, facial pain, gum disease--they are the business of the general dentist, right? Yes, they are, but they are also a concern for your Arnold, MO orthodontist at JL Dental. The science of orthodontics aims to prevent the deleterious effects of crooked smiles.

The reasons behind getting braces

Typically, when people think of orthodontic treatment, they think of getting a beautiful, straight smile and the increased self-confidence it brings. It’s true, braces of all varieties--traditional metal, ceramic, lingual and clear aligners--work toward that end, but did you know that orthodontics optimize oral and systemic health?

Well-aligned teeth are healthier teeth and gums are healthier, too. In general, when your mouth thrives, so does the rest of your body.

For instance, common orthodontic problems are:

• overbite
•  underbite
•  overjet (protruding front teeth)
• cross bite
• open bite
• tooth rotation
• crowding
• gaps
• mismatched top and bottom midlines
• jaw misalignment

The more severe the problem, the more prone teeth and gums are to decay and gum disease. In general, misaligned teeth are harder to keep clean and gums tend to accumulate bacteria-laden plaque and tartar. Resulting issues are:

•  cavities
•  red, swollen bleeding gums
•  bad breath
• uneven enamel wear
• facial pain, toothaches and headaches from poor alignment

Adding to immediate oral health issues, gum disease from crooked teeth is directly linked to increased incidence of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, pregnancy complications, respiratory disease, stroke, heart attack and coronary artery disease.

In fact, a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology shows that people are 25 to 33 percent more likely to get coronary artery disease if they suffer from periodontitis, or advanced gum disease. The mouth/body connection is very strong.

What your Arnold, MO dentist offers

 The husband-wife team of Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears of JL Dental offers a comprehensive menu of preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services. Beginning oral exams with children as young as 3 and continuing orthodontic evaluation throughout the developing years, these skilled Arnold, MO dentists can follow a child’s tooth and gum health and also how teeth are developing and aligning. If braces are required, treatment can begin early, intercepting problems before they become more complex and damaging.

Additionally, JL Dental utilizes traditional metal wire and bracket braces and innovative Clear Correct aligner to straighten smiles. Depending on the diagnosed problems, Dr. Mears will advise the treatment plan just right for the patient--whether juvenile or adult.

In general, metal braces treat more difficult cases, while made in the USA Clear Correct aligners work on mild to moderate problems. Either way, general dentistry skills and orthodontics combine to achieve and keep the best smiles possible.

Learn more

 Whether you need general dentistry services, orthodontics or both, the team at JL Dental handles it all in a skilled, friendly manner. Contact the office staff for your personal appointment.