Here's How To Tell If You Need Braces

Have you ever heard the phrase, “The shortest distance between two people is a smile?” It means that a smile is universal, shows kindness, and can effortlessly make people feel comfortable.

Knowing the power of a smile, most people want theirs to look bright, healthy, and beautiful. One way to accomplish a fantastic-looking smile is through braces. If you want to enhance the appearance of your smile and improve your oral health, braces might be the solution.

Braces are a type of orthodontic device used to straighten teeth and improve your bite. There are several different types of braces that can be used to place pressure on your teeth, so they gradually move into an optimal position.

Most people can look in the mirror and see minor or significant flaws in the alignment of their teeth. But crooked teeth are not the only reason that people need braces. Other oral health conditions can be addressed with orthodontic treatment.

Here’s how to tell if you might need braces:

Crooked Teeth. If your teeth are not perfectly straight, braces can be used to perfectly align them. Straight teeth are aesthetically pleasing and can help improve your self-esteem.

Wide Spaces in Between Teeth. Excess space in between your teeth can not only look irregular, but can also cause problems with chewing as well as with keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Gaps and spaces in between your teeth can be corrected with braces.

A Missing Tooth. No matter the reason for your missing tooth, braces can be used to stabilize the rest of your teeth. Braces can be used to hold a space for a permanent tooth that has not yet erupted or a space for a future prosthetic tooth (such as a dental implant).

Underbite or Overbite. When your teeth do not close properly, you might have jaw pain, headaches, or trouble with chewing. Additionally, an underbite or overbite can affect the look of your smile and even the shape of your face. Underbites and overbites can be addressed with orthodontic treatment.

Jaw Problems. Jaw problems can be painful, and they can lead to agonizing headaches. Proper alignment of your jaw, which can be achieved with braces, can help alleviate these issues.

Issues Chewing Food. When teeth are misaligned, too crowded, or too far apart, certain types of food can be difficult to chew. Additionally, food can get caught in between teeth that are misaligned or too crowded, which can lead to the development of tooth decay or gum disease.

Speech Problems. Many people with misaligned teeth suffer from difficulty pronouncing certain letters or words. Speech difficulty can negatively affect a person’s personal and professional life.

The need for orthodontic treatment is very common. Most people are not born with perfectly aligned teeth. While certain orthodontic issues are due to genetics, other problems can develop because of a thumb/finger sucking habit that started at a young age or because of an unavoidable problem such as an injury.

If you think you might need braces, schedule an appointment at Brookview Dental for an evaluation. We are happy to answer as many questions as possible over the phone, but an in-person consultation will help you better understand the many benefits of braces. We offer a range of orthodontic options, including invisible braces, that will help you achieve straight teeth and a beautiful, healthy smile.