Did you know that straight teeth and better jaw alignment improve not just your smile, but also your overall health? If you’re weighing up getting your teeth straightened for you or your child, read on! We speak to orthodontists and dental surgeons in Singapore about different teeth straightening options, from Invisalign to braces in Singapore.
Straight teeth benefits your overall health
“With straight teeth and less food trapping, your gum health will improve. A beautiful and fresh smile will then follow,” says dental surgeon Dr Thean Tsin Piao of Aesthete Smilestudio. This means better health, too!
Not only is poorly controlled gum disease known to make it harder to manage diabetes mellitus but poorly controlled diabetes can also lead to worsening of gum disease. There is even increasing evidence that gum disease can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. Meanwhile, having straight teeth reduces bacteria accumulation, thus reducing the onset of gum disease.
Thus, the ability to practice effective dental hygiene means you can remove bacteria before it becomes problematic not just for your oral health but your overall health, too. After all, an infection in your mouth can pass through your blood stream. So, what goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body. And, what goes on in your body can also affect your mouth!
Proper alignment can help prevent abnormal tooth wear
Properly aligned teeth can also relieve the problems that stem from improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems and increased wear on the tooth enamel.
“Having straight teeth gives you more even distribution of biting forces,” adds Dr Thean. “The teeth will wear out more evenly. This prevents excessive wear of some teeth when the teeth are crooked.”
Straight teeth can improve your mental health, too
A crucial component of your overall health is, of course, your mental health. Studies have shown that having a better smile not only increases how much you smile, but also improves your confidence and lowers your stress levels.
Aside from affecting your jawline and how your lips look, misaligned teeth are also more prone to having food trapped between them. This may lead to embarrassing moments or even some social anxiety.
Luckily, there is a host of aesthetically pleasing options like Invisalign and lingual braces in Singapore. This leads to more and more people deciding to correct their smiles with these treatments.
How to get nice straight teeth at any age
If you think that orthodontic treatment is mostly for children and teenagers, think again. Teeth can continue to be straightened well into adulthood.
“While people most often associate orthodontic treatment with teenagers, orthodontists treat all ages,” says orthodontist Dr Thushala Ubaya (who was previously a consultant orthodontist in the UK) of Smilefocus. “There is no age limit for starting orthodontic treatment. Today’s orthodontic technologies ensure the most efficient and effective paths for orthodontic correction.”
Dr Ubaya has treated patients ranging in age from seven to 70, using all types of orthodontic appliances. Younger patients can benefit from growth modification to help with the bite and teeth alignment. Dr Ubaya has seen excellent commitment from younger patients to functional bite correction appliances and clear aligners like Invisalign, which also work well with patients of any age.
With a host of aesthetically pleasing options like Invisalign and ClearCorrect aligners as well as white ceramic fixed braces, more and more adults in Singapore are deciding to correct their smiles with their orthodontists. Here’s what to know about these clear aligners.
A bit more on teeth straightening treatment like Invisalign by orthodontists in Singapore
“Clear aligners are a good alternative to wearing fixed braces. They are clear, removable appliances that sit over the teeth, like a mouthguard – but they’re specially engineered for each patient,” says Dr Ubaya. “Additionally, aligners are easy to wear and easy to keep clean, and are simple to replace if you lose them.”
Dr Thean of Aesthete Smilestudio says Invisalign is especially popular among his patients. The clear, removable aligners are comfortable and predictable, and can be taken out before every meal. What’s more, Invisalign is discreet and invisible to the naked eye at arm’s length, he says. For these reasons, more and more of his adult and teen patients are favouring the clear aligners over traditional braces in Singapore. In fact, Dr Thean says he finds that his Invisalign patients are more willing to be socially active, since their peers, colleagues, friends, clients and supervisors don’t know they’re having orthodontic treatment.
Even kids are experiencing the benefits of Invisalign, particularly the added confidence it brings. According to Dr Thean, a child can start as soon as most of their baby teeth have come out. He does caution, however, that starting the treatment too early can cause “treatment fatigue and a loss of motivation that can result from a too-long treatment process.” So, it’s best to consult your dentist or orthodontist to choose the solution that’s right for the individual child.
About the dentists and orthodontists
Dr Thean Tsin Piao of Aesthete Smilestudio is a Singapore dentist and dental surgeon with over 25 years of experience. A member of several dental associations such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and Singapore Dental Association, he offers services in general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, helping patients transform their smiles and increase self-confidence.
Dr Thushala Ubaya is an orthodontist with over 20 years of experience in dentistry and orthodontics, having held senior roles in both the NHS and private practice in the UK. She is passionate about treating children and adults with dentofacial problems, with expertise in fixed braces, orthodontics and early intervention for young patients.
Directory for orthodontists, Invisalign and braces in Singapore
Aesthete Smilestudio
50 Raffles Place #03-01A Singapore Land Tower
6438 3811 | aesthetesmilestudio.com
Smilefocus
#08-02/03 and #08-07/08 Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Boulevard
6834 0877 |smilefocus.com.sg
Like this article about how to get straight teeth, orthodontists and teeth straightening treatment in Singapore? Read more in our Health & Fitness section.
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