In a perfect world, maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile would be as simple as brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, however, if you have underlying orthodontic problems, even the most diligent oral hygiene routine can fall short. Here’s a closer look at five dental dilemmas that could be causing problems with your mouth, and how orthodontic treatment can help prevent them!
Crowding
When your arches are crowded, your teeth don’t lay flush and can create the appearance of being ‘snaggle-toothed’ which can make you look older than you really are. With orthodontic treatment, you can space out your smile, allowing your teeth to not just look better, but making them easier to keep clean, reducing your risk of dental cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.
Gum Disease
Gum disease occurs due to a bacterial infection in the periodontal tissue. When you have crooked or crowded teeth, it can be difficult to floss, leading to an increase in gum inflammation and even periodontitis or gum disease. By straightening your smile, basic oral hygiene like flossing will be much easier, allowing you to reduce your risk of periodontal problems that could eventually lead to tooth loss.
Jaw Pain
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is what connects your jaw to your skull. When it becomes overworked or misaligned, it can be extremely painful and make everyday activities like eating and speaking difficult. Orthodontics can help better align the teeth and jaw, stopping the discomfort of TMJ disorders and allowing your mouth to function properly, and without the characteristic stiffness of this painful condition.
Spacing Issues
When you have significant gaps between your teeth, it can make it hard to keep your mouth clean as food particles can become easily trapped. This can in turn increase your risk of cavities and gum disease. Orthodontics can eliminate these embarrassing spaces, making your smile look more evenly- spaced and beautiful, all the while simplifying your hygiene practices for healthier, more attractive arches.
Bad Bites
When you have a bad bite, it can make chewing painful and difficult. Orthodontic treatment can realign crossbites, overbites, underbites, and open bites, allowing you to comfortably eat and speak all the while improving the appearance of your smile!
Can Adults Get Orthodontic Treatment?
Many people struggle for years with their smile, but don’t seek treatment because they are too embarrassed to wear braces or think it’s simply too late to straighten their teeth. However, the good news is that there are many discreet options for orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners and tooth-colored braces. Furthermore, there’s no time limit for a healthy smile, so you can get orthodontic treatment at any age, even if it’s been decades since you were a teenager!
Remember, it’s never too late to get a healthier, more beautiful smile with the help of orthodontic treatment. In fact, it could just be one of the best things you’ll ever do for your oral health. To learn more about your treatment options, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Dr. Greer
Dr. Dale Greer earned his dental degree at the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1977 and has since then gone on to become an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an honor bestowed on less than 250 dentists across the United States. He has also been awarded a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and was even voted by his peers as “One of the Best Dentists in Dallas” in D magazine, a “Texas Super Dentist” and one of the “Best Dentists in America”. To schedule a consultation for orthodontics, visit our website or call 973-233-4546.