While visiting your trusted Fremont dentist, Richard Ta, DDS, for braces is a great way to improve the look of your smile, braces do more than just improve your appearances. They can improve your oral health as well. Here are four health conditions that braces from Fremont dentist Dr. Ta can help prevent, eliminate or solve.

Tooth Decay

When teeth are crammed and crowded into a small space, cleaning in between them can be very difficult, if not impossible. As a result, food particles and germs quickly find their way into these spaces, where they can begin to multiply. Without the possibility of proper oral care, the bacteria feed on the sugar on the teeth, causing tooth decay. Increased tooth decay is very common with people who have badly crowded teeth.

Tooth Impaction

When a child's teeth are crowded, not only are they at an increased risk for cavities, but they may also have problems with his or her adult teeth coming in properly. When teeth do not have room to come in, they can become impacted, or stuck. Impacted teeth can be very painful, and if the tooth is stuck part way in the mouth, it can also become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Excessive Wear

Teeth are meant to line up a certain way for best performance. When they don't, the chewing surfaces can quickly show signs of excessive wear. Braces bring the teeth back into alignment so that your teeth can break down the food you eat--not the other way around.

Jaw Pain

Jaw pain is another common symptom that can happen as the result of teeth that do not line up correctly. Braces bring the teeth back into alignment to reduce muscle fatigue and eliminate the pain.

If your Fremont dentist recommends braces, it isn't only to give you a beautiful smile. Dr. Ta uses braces to correct a number of oral health problems that you may not even be aware that you had. The next time you visit your Fremont dentist for a routine check-up, ask if braces might be right for you.