The hidden benefits of clear braces in Harley Street

It’s not an immediately obvious connection – wearing braces and losing weight. But a knock-on benefit of having your teeth straightened can be losing inches off your waist line.

This can be the case if you are fitted with clear braces in Harley Street anyway. The reason is that clear braces are not really braces at all – not as we know and love them. Instead of using a system of brackets and wires to pull your teeth into alignment, clear braces or aligners, which look like thin, thermoplastic mouth guards, gently nudge your teeth into their correct position, using pressure points inside the aligners. In Harley Street, clear braces used by our dentists are called Invisalign.

Clear Braces in Harley StreetBeing aware of food choices

A major benefit of these aligners is that they are transparent, and so are almost invisible once you snap them on over your teeth. To keep them that way, you need to take them out for eating or drinking anything but plain water, otherwise the plastic becomes stained and they are no longer so discreet. Plus, it’s not great for your teeth to be in such close contact with food residue for the 20-22 hours a day you need to wear the aligners.

Invisalign patients report that this makes them much more aware of their eating habits and cuts down or cuts out unconscious snacking – the kind that is particularly prevalent in offices where there is always some cake on the go. It’s known as the Invisalign diet – straighter teeth and a slimmer waist.

Other benefits of clear braces in Harley Street

Invisalign clear braces in Harley Street aren’t just good for your waist line and your smile – they also help improve your oral health.

Straighter teeth are easier to clean – the bristles of your toothbrush and your dental floss can more easily get between your teeth into the gaps where bacteria build-up. Wonky teeth can make it very difficult to get into these gaps with your standard tooth cleaning equipment.

Once your teeth have straightened up, there will also be fewer gaps for bacteria to hide in, reducing your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.