Today, we’re going to take a break from local business reviews. We’re going to talk about the importance of orthodontics, and the purpose behind orthodontics for your teeth.
When you hear the word “orthodontics,” your mind probably jumps to metal braces, headgear, and maybe Invisalign. You probably associate orthodontics with straight teeth and hollywood smiles.
Orthodontics are usually connected to helping smiles look beautiful, rather than making them healthy.
What are Orthodontics?
Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth when you close your mouth? If so, then you should think about seeing an orthodontist.
As you’re aware, a dentist takes care of your teeth. Orthodontists are a specialty version of dentistry, in which we take care of your teeth’s misalignment. When your teeth don’t line up properly when you close your mouth, it’s considered a “malocclusion.”
Orthodontists do far more than straighten your teeth though. Orthodontics can even help affect your facial structure and your jaw development.
If you’re trying to improve your appearance, orthodontics can also play a role in cosmetic dentistry.
What Orthodontists Treat
As an orthodontist, we use a variety of devices, like Invisalign, headgears, braces, and plates, as well as well tracked out treatment plans for a variety of issues.
Here are a few dental issues we can help you with:
- Close gaps in your teeth.
- Make sure the tops of your teeth close evenly
- Straighten crooked teeth
- Improve your speech impediment
- Help you eat easier
- Prevent your teeth from wearing unevenly, chipping, or trauma from an improper bite
Treating Malocclusions
In a holistic sense, we treat malocclusions, which translates to bad bite. Malocclusions specifically mean crooked and misaligned teeth when the top and bottom arches come in contact.
Sometimes malocclusions are genetic. Other times, malocclusions can be caused by thumb sucking, using a pacifier, or other bad habits that deform the teeth and bones.
When malocclusions are severe enough, they can make it difficult to speak, eat, and even clean your teeth effectively. Orthodontic treatments can help a variety of different dental issues.
What Age Should You Start Orthodontic Intervention?
It’s never too late to start an orthodontic treatment. However, you shouldn’t start treatments on your children until they’re 12 or 13 years old. This way, their permanent teeth have had time to develop.
Before beginning orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, you should make sure your dental hygiene is up to snuff. If orthodontic treatments are placed on plaque ridden teeth, patients will be even more susceptible to tooth decay.
Dental Hygiene During Treatments
You should also make sure that you stay on top of your dental hygiene during treatments, because your appliances will put you at a higher risk for dental issues.
It’s not uncommon for food to get stuck in appliances and between teeth, requiring patients to need to brush more during their treatments.
However, you shouldn’t let this deter you from fixing crooked teeth, because sometimes crooked teeth can even put you at a higher risk for tooth decay.