Ryan M. Buckwalter, DDS, FICOI, FAGD

1420 Greenbrier Place
Charlottesville, VA 22901

434.973.2224

The Benefits of Having Braces

Braces may be a daunting experience; however, the lasting effects will improve your overall oral and physical health. In addition to improving the aesthetics of your smile, the alignment of your teeth impacts several aspects of your health.

At Hillcrest Dental, we specialize in a variety of services including general dental care, oral surgery, and cosmetic dentistry services in Albemarle County. Our team is devoted to providing patients with everything they need to maintain a bright healthy smile. Our quality services are recognized as the most welcoming and comfortable. As you explore the many options you have regarding your orthodontic treatment, check out the ways braces will improve your overall lifestyle.

Reduce Your Chance of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

When your teeth are crowded or crooked, it creates tight spaces between your teeth where food can get trapped. Over time, food debris causes bacteria to form, called plaque, which places you at risk for developing cavities or losing your tooth’s enamel. This can occur even if you have impeccable oral hygiene due to having difficulty flossing from overcrowding. It is important to be able to remove all food debris from your teeth to prevent cavities and gum disease from forming. Fortunately, braces can help space your teeth out properly so you can have an easier time brushing and flossing in between your teeth.

Stop Bone Erosion

As you go throughout your day, you place pressure on your teeth when you eat and speak. This pressure is important for stimulating bone growth to hold your teeth in place. Over time, misaligned teeth can cause too much force to come down on certain teeth, which can slowly erode the bone. There may also not be enough pressure on certain areas that lead to a lack of stimulation. For this reason, professional care is necessary to move your teeth into the proper position, which will create the right amount of pressure to keep your jawbones healthy.

Improve Speech

Speech can be affected by your tongue’s movement against the top of your mouth and teeth, which helps to form the sounds that come out. If your teeth lie backward in your mouth or push too far forward, you may develop a lisp or other speech impediments. Moving teeth into alignment often improves speech impediments quickly after your braces are removed.

Encourage Nutrition with Proper Digestion

When your teeth do not align properly, it can also impact how you chew, which results in not acquiring essential vitamins and nutrients from each meal. This may lead to many health complications such as malnutrition, anemia, stomachaches, or other digestive issues.

Prevent Dental Injuries

Braces help to prevent future injuries, protruding upper teeth are especially vulnerable during accidents and can result in broken teeth or chipped teeth. It is also common for people with improperly aligned teeth to accidentally bite their cheeks and tongues while eating or talking. Having proper teeth alignment is another step you can take to protect yourself from future injuries. 

Correct Jaw Pain and Disorders

Your jaw joints may try to self-correct errors in how your teeth are aligned symptoms include chronic headaches, jaw popping, and pain. Over time, this can lead to serious jaw disorders. Braces will adjust your teeth in the best way to improve these symptoms after treatment. 

Hillcrest Dental: Cosmetic Dentistry Services in Albemarle County, VA

While you may be focusing on the beautiful smile awaiting you after treatment, your dental team can help you further understand and experience the additional benefits that come along with braces. Start orthodontic treatment that offers lifelong benefits at Hillcrest Dental for all of your dental and oral hygienic needs. Our experienced dentists provide excellent, quality cosmetic dentistry services through our welcoming staff, who care deeply for each of our patients, providing friendly service to the community. 

Make an appointment with us online or call us at 434-973-2224 and let us help you keep your smile bright and beautiful.

  • "I am very pleased with how my appointment went yesterday. Everyone was really friendly. They explained everything to me about the procedure and stayed late to assure I was comfortable with the work I had done. Dr Ryan Buckwalter and his assistants were awesome. I highly recommend them for any dental work. Thank you."

    Donnette M.

  • "I was having toothache pain in my lower jaw. I called the next day to make an appointment and was given an appointment time for the very next day. I saw Dr. Ryan, who is knowledgeable, caring and has great people skills with his patients. I made another appointment to come back and have the work done."

    Denise K.

  • “Dr. Buckwalter and his assistant did a wonderful job with our 8 year old today. While they were busy talking teeth, my 3 year old was enjoying his new lip balm and balloon! Finished up with a treat from Starbucks with our gift card. So glad our kiddos don’t fear the dentist. More like they want to keep stopping in."

    Logan D.

  • “Unbelievable experience with Dr. Ryan Buckwalter. Night and Day difference from my last dental experience with another dentist. I no longer fear the dentist!”

    David S.