Do you think you might need braces? It’s very possible you don’t notice you need them until you’re grown up and taking care of your own dental appointments. When some conditions aren’t treated at a young age, they become issues for adults.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, though – braces can correct your dental problems! If you identify with any of the following, it’s a sign that you may need braces.
Crooked Teeth
The most common reason people of all ages book an orthodontist appointment is because of crooked teeth. There are several good reasons why teeth aren’t in proper positions when fully grown, most of which start in childhood; these include when permanent teeth grow around baby teeth that haven’t fallen out yet or when the jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate adult teeth.
Regardless of the reason, crowded or crooked teeth can make many people of all ages self-conscious and prevent them from taking care of their teeth. Luckily, traditional braces can move crooked teeth into a more suitable position, restoring smiles and confidence!
Extensive Overbites Or Underbites
Having an overbite – where your teeth on top overlap your bottom teeth slightly – is healthy. If you notice that when you can’t see your lower teeth in the mirror when you bite down, however, you may have an extensive deep bite; which could cause dental problems like premature tooth wear.
If you notice that your upper teeth stick out over the bottom teeth with a bit more prominence, you might have what’s called an overjet. Because of the position of the upper front teeth, anyone with an extensive overjet is at risk of damage to these teeth; being farther out in front, they take the first impact in accidents like falls or hits to the head while playing sports. The good news is, we can correct an overjet with braces and rubber bands.
We treat underbites – where the bottom teeth overlap with the top – in much the same way we do an overbite: realigning the teeth or jaws. In very serious cases, we may recommend extractions or surgery to help realign the bite.
You Have Trouble Chewing
Some issues can be hard to detect by looking in the mirror – you might have to pay attention at your next meal. Many orthodontic misalignments negatively impact how one eats, and if you’re having trouble eating or are often biting your tongue or the insides of your cheeks, it could be because your bite is off.
Irregular Spaces Between Teeth
Rather than experiencing crowding and having teeth grow in crooked, irregular spaces can form between them that cause their own set of problems. No matter how long you’ve had these spaces, they are still treatable with braces!
The causes of spaces between teeth (called diastemas) include long-term bottle and pacifier use, thumb sucking, improper chewing and swallowing, and mouth breathing can put pressure on teeth and cause them to separate over time. It can be natural, too – if the teeth are too small to fill the jaw bone, it can prevent them from coming together.
For diastemas and the other issues on this list, the procedure that will work best depends on the cause, personal preferences, health, and other factors. If you notice these signs, book an appointment with us today!