Would you grab the chance to correct your smile and make it healthy and beautiful?
Well, if your answer is yes, then braces are one of the options to go for.
There are several reasons you might have thought of getting braces – it can be for cosmetic reasons or dental. Whatever the case is, here are some reasons why you may need to get braces!
When Do You Need Braces?
Are you not sure whether you need braces? Signs that you need braces may vary depending on your age and dental health.
It is said that adult braces are seemingly becoming more common, and their outcomes are mostly positive.
So what are the symptoms that can confirm it’s time for braces?
- Crowding Teeth
One of the most common dental problems, teeth crowding, occurs when there is not enough space in your mouth for your teeth.
With time, this worsens, resulting in difficulty brushing and flossing.
And when you cannot keep your teeth clean, plaque, cavities, bad breath, gum disease, bone loss and other severe dental conditions start occurring.
- Teeth Spacing
Quite literally, the opposite of crowding, teeth spacing is when you have a gap between your teeth — perhaps due to a missing tooth or a large jaw.
- Overbite
When your upper front teeth overlap your lower front teeth, it causes the condition of overbite. Sometimes this goes unnoticed.
However, it comes with several oral and health conditions. It can cause immense trauma to your front teeth and makes them prone to fractures.
Moreover, it can also lead to gum recession and tooth wear.
- Underbite
In an underbite, your lower front teeth overlap the upper front teeth mainly due to disproportionate jaw size.
It causes difficulty in biting and chewing, speeds up your facial aging and gives you an imbalanced facial appearance.
- Crossbite
A crossbite is a dental condition that causes the upper tooth to cross behind the opposite lower tooth.
If left untreated, it causes asymmetric jaw growth, tooth wear and gum recession.
Too much delay in treatment can lead to the inability to restore the wearing of teeth and fractured teeth.
- Openbite
You could be suffering from an open bite if your teeth don’t touch when you bite down. This can cause speech and biting problems.
Other Signs of a Need for Braces
In addition to the above symptoms, the following are other signs indicating you need braces:
- Frequent bites or cuts on your tongue through your teeth
- An improper closure of your teeth when your mouth is at rest
- Difficulty in pronunciation of certain sounds due to your tongue position
- Clicking sounds in your jaw while eating or as soon as you wake up
- Fatigue or stress on the jawline after chewing
- Late or an early loss of baby teeth
- Mouth breathing
Are There Alternatives to Braces?
Yes! There are other methods that are equally effective.
Although braces are one of the most common and popular treatment options available for teeth straightening, other methods such as Invisalign and surgical orthodontics are viable choices to look out for.
Invisalign is the most trusted brand of clear aligners. They work the same way braces do — applying pressure on your teeth to straighten them, but they are more discreet and convenient.
Since they are clear, it is hard to notice that you are wearing them. Moreover, you can conveniently remove them before brushing or flossing.
Braces and Invisalign are the best solutions for adjusting your smile, but if you want to correct severe teeth, skull, face and malocclusion conditions, you need to consider surgical orthodontics.
It is a combination of orthodontic surgery and advanced orthodontics that helps realign your jaw.
Bottom Line
Crowded or crooked teeth are the classic signs that you need braces. Apart from these, keep an eye out for the above-mentioned symptoms.
Moreover, if you see these signs in your child, do not wait until they become an adult, as a delay may end up worsening their condition!
The younger you get your braces, the earlier you can straighten your teeth and avoid facing any severe challenges in the future.
Dr. Pai is an orthodontist, founder of Putnam Orthodontics and a partner at Brite Orthodontics. Dedicated to providing the best orthodontic treatments to his patients, Dr. Pai also writes about everything orthodontics and the importance of correctly aligned teeth and good oral health.
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