How Invisalign orthodontic treatment in Mississauga could improve your health

You probably realize that Invisalign orthodontic treatment can enhance the appearance of your smile, but did you know it may also improve your oral health and whole-body wellness? Dr. Rina Kotecha from Dentistry on 10in Mississauga, ON explains the mouth-body connection.

Straight teeth lead to better oral health

Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms that endlessly reproduce. They play many useful roles in our ecosystem. For example, bacteria break down dead organisms, releasing carbon dioxide (necessary for photosynthesis in plants) back into the atmosphere.

The human mouth hosts several hundred different strains of bacteria. Some are pathogens – disease-causing agents – and they are prolific. If you practice good oral hygiene, you likely have only 1,000 to 100,000 of these creatures on each tooth surface. People who don’t keep their mouths clean harbor about a billion bacteria per tooth.

Streptococci species – mutans, salivarius, anginosus, and mitis – in particular, produce acidic waste and enzymes as they feast on sugars and starches left behind by foods in your diet. Their excretions impact oral health in several ways:

• Make holes in enamel, allowing cavity to develop.
• Irritate gum tissue, causing it to pull away from teeth, forming periodontal pockets.
• Penetrate deep into these pockets, dissolving ligaments and bone that stabilize teeth.

The solution might seem to be simply sterilizing the mouth with harsh chemical rinses. In truth, that can be quite damaging. Some bacteria have beneficial functions such as initiating the digestive processes and working with the immune system for the prevention of disease. Although overpopulation of dangerous strains of oral bacterial has the potential to cause significant harm, good bacteria in the mouth are the body’s first line of defense against airborne germs and those transferred through saliva.

As you can see, balance in the oral terrain is the key to a healthy mouth. One of the ways you achieve that balance is with straight teeth.

Streptococci strains need three things to flourish – moisture, food, and temperature between 86- and 116-degrees Fahrenheit. That combination of conditions exists in the mouth, even when we brush and floss diligently. Yet it is much easier to keep straight teeth clean. Gaps, overlaps, and twisted teeth create nooks and crevices that trap food particles, evading brush and floss.

A person with straight, evenly-spaced teeth is less likely to develop tooth decay or gum disease than an individual with crooked teeth when both have similar diet and hygiene habits.

A healthy mouth fosters a healthy body

How do straight teeth and a healthy mouth reduce the risk of serious health problems? The same strains of bacteria that inflame soft oral tissues cause systemic inflammation when they enter the bloodstream. That can happen when diseased gum tissue (periodontitis) allows bacteria to infiltrate, or when the pathogens are swallowed into the digestive tract or aspirated into the lungs.

While the body of research continues to grow, we know that gum disease increases the risk of heart disease by about 20 percent. The connection between gum disease and diabetes is undeniable, as inflammation raises blood sugar levels. Oral health is also linked to osteoporosis, respiratory disease, certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Straight teeth (and thus lower the risk of periodontal disease) could even help prevent having a premature or low-birth-weight baby!

What to expect during Invisalign orthodontic treatment in Mississauga

The Invisalign system is a comfortable and convenient way to get straighter teeth efficiently . . . and look good while you are in treatment.

Computer-image modeling of your mouth serves as the basis for a virtual treatment plan. Proprietary software turns this information into a series of aligners, which are fabricated using 3D printing technology. The progression of aligners gently repositions teeth with precisely-placed continual low force.

Aligners are transparent, so other people usually don’t notice unless they look closely. Since Invisalign is removable, you are free to eat normally at mealtimes and keep your mouth clean and healthy with normal brushing and flossing technique.

Each case receives a unique treatment plan, but on average Invisalign can be completed in about a year with good compliance (wearing aligners 20 to 22 hours per day). Today’s Invisalign is suitable for many complex straightening and bite correction issues, as well as cosmetic enhancement.

Invisalign orthodontic treatment is just one of the ways Dr. Kotecha helps her patients in the Mississauga area enjoy oral health that contributes to overall wellness. Call Dentistry on 10 at (905) 455-9262 to find out how attractive a healthy mouth can be.

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