While October may be associated with trick-or-treating and the candy that comes with it, October is also National Orthodontic Health Month. Every October, orthodontists and dentists work extra hard to raise awareness about the importance of orthodontic care.
This month, we’d like to encourage people of all ages to take charge of their orthodontic health. It’s never too late to improve your smile, and to remember that improving the look of your smile often improves other health outcomes as well.
Whether you’re considering orthodontic appliances for your growing teenager or thinking about braces or Invisalign for yourself, Absolute Dental can help you make the right decisions for both your smile and your health.
Why National Orthodontic Health Month Matters
While orthodontics are often associated with a beautiful smile, orthodontics can also play a role in overall health of the mouth. Orthodontics are as much about healthy teeth, healthy gums, and good oral hygiene overall as it is looking good.
Misaligned teeth can often present a number of medical issues, such as:
- Jaw pain: Misalignment can cause pain when eating, chewing, and speaking.
- TMJ: This condition, officially known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction, affects the jaw and surrounding muscles and can be significantly eased with orthodontics.
- Tooth decay: Because misaligned teeth make brushing more difficult, tooth decay is often more likely in teeth that are misaligned.
- Gum disease: Like tooth decay, gum disease is more of a concern with misaligned teeth, due to difficulties in brushing and flossing.
- Speech difficulties: Misaligned teeth can often cause speech difficulties, such as lisps and impediments due to misalignment.
Of course, orthodontics also make your smile bright and straight, and give you the confidence to be your best self, no matter your age.
The Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
For people of any age, orthodontic treatment offers a number of lifelong benefits:
Improved Oral Health
In almost all cases, braces and other types of orthodontic treatments can improve oral health by making brushing and flossing easier. This helps reduce plaque and tartar, which cause cavities and gum disease. Straighter teeth can also aid your dentist and hygienist in cleaning and maintaining teeth.
Confidence
It’s no secret that a straighter smile can have a dramatic impact on your confidence. Orthodontic treatment can drastically change the way you interact with the world, and ensure you’re always putting your best foot forward in relationships, professional settings, and everyday activities.
Better Comfort
Better aligned teeth mean easier chewing, eating, and talking. It also means less food is trapped between your teeth, and more even wear on your teeth. Orthodontic treatment helps align your bite, also reducing strain on the muscles in and near the jaw.
Long-Term Health
Whether it’s in reducing cavities or gum disease, improving confidence and self-esteem, or ensuring greater comfort, dental orthodontics are a great investment for long-term health. Correcting issues now can save a great deal of time, money, and pain in the future.
Dental Health Orthodontics: Not Just for Teenagers
One of the most important messages National Orthodontic Health Month has to share is that orthodontics are not just for teenagers and children. If you’ve never had braces, or you have and your teeth have since shifted, it may be a good time to think about orthodontics, no matter your age.
Braces have come a long way in the last few years, and there are many options for care that may not have been available when you were young. Traditional braces are much less painful and more effective than they have ever been, and clear aligners can even be removed to eat and for special occasions.
Your orthodontist can help you choose the best option for you. Here at Absolute Dental, we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about orthodontics, no matter your age.
Make A Change Today
If you’d like to take advantage of National Orthodontic Health Month, there are a few things you can do to make the most of your smile:
Schedule an Appointment at Absolute Dental
If you or your children have never had an orthodontic assessment, schedule one today with one of our exceptional orthodontists. We can help diagnose and address any orthodontic issues, and come up with a personalized treatment plan to get you the healthiest smile available.
Focus on Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is much more than just a pretty smile. Oral hygiene is directly connected to overall health of the body. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss every night before bed, and see a dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning.
Consider Your Eating Habits
Is your diet contributing or hurting your oral health? Try to avoid hard and sticky foods that can damage teeth, fillings, or orthodontic equipment, and try to avoid foods high in sugar that contribute to plaque and gum disease. You should also switch from soft drinks to sparkling water.
Need Braces? Think Absolute Dental
No matter your age or orthodontic needs, Absolute Dental can help you achieve the healthiest and best looking smile possible. We have more than 50 locations across Nevada to serve you, our facilities are state-of-the-art, and our staff is compassionate, thorough, and gentle.
We accept almost all major forms of dental insurance, and for those without it, we offer a number of ways to pay, involving payment plans, and our innovative Smile Saver program. We want to ensure everyone has access to the dental and orthodontic services they need to live their healthiest and best lives.
Call today. Your journey to a healthier, more confident smile begins this National Orthodontic Month.
Sources:
Evans, C. (2009). The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health and Well-Being.
October is National Orthodontic Health Month: Celebrate Orthodontics! (2025).
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. (2025).