The importance of healthy teeth and gums can not be overstated. However, clean and cavity-free teeth aren’t all we desire; everyone dreams of a straight smile that’s aesthetically pleasing while contributing to good oral health.
Apart from being the defining feature of a bright and beautiful smile, well-aligned and polished teeth can prevent several issues, such as overbite, malocclusion, and plaque buildup. Hence, maintaining healthy teeth is essential to your overall health, comfort, and confidence. Even if you do not seem to have any apparent signs of dental problems, regularly visiting an orthodontist can help prevent future problems.
Orthodontists can also detect issues that may not be apparent but could lead to major dental problems in the future. These dental problems could include jaw pain, difficulty chewing or biting, uneven spacing between teeth, or abnormal protruding of some teeth. Hence they might recommend treatments such as braces for a straighter and healthier smile since the issues mentioned previously can result in serious complications over time if left unattended.
It is important, however, to know that orthodontic treatments might be costly, especially if your health insurance doesn’t cover dental procedures. The cost of braces in the US falls somewhere between $3000 to $7000 for metal braces, while clear braces might cost more (around $4000 to $8500).
Nevertheless, many clinics offer affordable orthodontic treatment and free consultation on correcting your smile. Book an appointment to get braces right away if you experience any of the following:
1 You overbite a lot
If you experience frequent overbites, you need to visit an orthodontist right away. Occasional overbites are normal, and there is no need to worry. But excessive occurrences are a cause for concern. It means your upper teeth are protruding more than your lower teeth. It can make eating an arduous task.
Additionally, the upper teeth become more prone to injury while hurting your gums. It may also affect your gum health later on. Worse still, overbite is related to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea makes you wake up at intervals during the night, gasping for breath.
2 Frequent under-bites
If your lower teeth overlap your upper teeth, you may face frequent under-bites. Eating and chewing problems occur as a result of this uneven teeth alignment as well. It is a prominent sign that you need braces to prevent further problems. If you delay treatment, it can result in premature aging of facial features.
3 Cross-bites
Another abnormal teeth alignment called a cross-bite occurs when your top and bottom teeth do not align properly with one another when you close your mouth or bite. Cross-bites may result from irregular positioning of teeth or could even be due to an improper jaw position. A cross-bite may cause greater damage in the long run if it is not treated timely. It can lead to muscle pain, headaches, and tooth decay. Therefore, considering getting braces with any other necessary treatment may save you from such consequences.
4 Over-jet
An over-jet is one of the most obvious signs that it is time for you to wear braces. It is a kind of abnormal teeth alignment in which your central incisors or upper front teeth protrude more than the remaining upper teeth. It significantly affects your appearance while causing severe pain in the jaws in some cases. Daily tasks like eating and drinking may also become challenging.
5 Gaps between teeth
Extra spacing between your teeth is also an indicator for you to get braces. Gaps between teeth or at their sides cause many problems. Such gaps can negatively affect your appearance. But they also lead to food bits getting stuck between the gaps and increase the risk of plaque buildup and other oral hygiene issues.
6 Overcrowded Teeth
A lack of space between teeth causes crowding of teeth. If you have very little space between your teeth, and this causes issues with essential functions such as chewing food or speaking, it’s time to get braces along with the extraction of some teeth. Although overcrowding is mostly caused by a lack of space between teeth, other reasons might include:
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- A jaw that’s too small
- Large teeth that are unable to comfortably fit in the jaw
- If a person has excessive teeth
- If a tooth breaks and other teeth begin to shift
Crowding makes the space in your mouth inadequate for your teeth, and tasks like brushing teeth and keeping them clean become extremely problematic. Long-term consequences of untreated crowding include dental cavities, inflammation of gums, and foul breath.
7 Jaw pain, toothache, and headaches
Some of the signs indicating your need braces may not be apparent. You may have well-aligned teeth and no biting or chewing problems. But other indicators like continuous pain in the jaws or mouth and frequent headaches and toothache could result from dental issues. If you experience such signs, find out the reason for such pain by visiting an orthodontist ASAP. If it is a result of orthodontic problems such as malocclusion or excessive teeth, you may need braces to avoid intensifying the issue.
8 Breathing problems
You may experience breathing difficulties as a result of orthodontic issues. Mostly, people with such problems may need to breathe with their mouths open. Children with the habit of breathing with an open mouth have been reported to have orthodontic issues. Such breathing problems become a source of sleep issues as well. If you or your child experiences such issues, visit an orthodontist to see if braces can help.
9 Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds
At times, problems with your jaws or teeth can make it difficult for you to utter certain words or produce particular sounds. The teeth, tongue, and jaws play a vital role in producing sounds. A malfunction in any of these components can damage your ability to produce sounds. If you find yourself in a fix when trying to utter certain words, contact an orthodontist. They might recommend braces to correct teeth alignment and solve your speech problems.
Final Thoughts
Orthodontic problems can pose a serious health threat. From causing sleep problems to premature tooth wear, there are specific signs you need to look out for that indicate you might need braces. Common indicators for a requirement of braces and orthodontic treatment are easily noticeable. Improper alignment of teeth, pain in various parts of the mouth, speech problems, disturbed sleep, and biting difficulties all indicate the need for immediate treatment.
Read More:
4 Top reasons why you might need braces
