For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics and treatment can be successful at any age. However, there are other important benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wearing of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignments of the jaw joints. Braces and other corrective procedures can help achieve tooth and jaw alignment, and most importantly, a healthy, confident smile that can last a lifetime.