Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work. It can also help to look after the long-term health of your teeth, gums, and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all your teeth.
It is available for anyone who wants to make a change to their smile, but it is not for everyone. It is important that your mouth and jaws are fully grown before you have any orthodontic treatment. The best time to create space in the mouth or straighten crooked teeth may be while you are still growing. However, adults can have successful orthodontic treatments at any age. Below are the benefits why you should go for orthodontics treatment:
Better Oral Health
When your teeth are aligned properly, you’re less likely to develop tooth decay or gum disease because food doesn’t get trapped between your teeth or between the upper and lower jaws where it’s hard for saliva to wash away germs.
Also, when your bite is correct, it helps keep your jaw joints healthy so they don’t wear out prematurely as a result of stress placed on them by misaligned jaws. This can help reduce future joint replacement surgeries later in life!
Improved Appearance
Orthodontic treatment can make it easier for you to show off your smile. Your teeth will be straighter and more even, which can boost self-confidence.
Healthier Teeth
Straightening your teeth can help them last longer and reduce your risk of tooth decay and dental disease in all areas where openings exist between teeth, such as between the front teeth known as diastema, or between molars known as diastema.
Better Chewing Ability
If you have misaligned or crowded teeth, they might not fit together correctly when you chew food. This may cause discomfort, pain, or difficulty eating certain foods. Orthodontic treatment can correct these issues so you’re able to chew more comfortably again.
Healthier gums
Orthodontic treatment helps your gums stay healthy because it prevents them from getting irritated and infected. Teeth that are crooked or out of alignment can put stress on the gums and cause them to bleed easily. The pressure of crooked teeth can make it harder for people who are wearing braces to keep their gums clean with dental floss.
Reduced Crowding
Crowded teeth can be difficult to clean, which can lead to tooth decay. Crowding can also cause a misalignment of the bite and jaw, which may cause headaches and make it difficult to chew properly. Orthodontic treatment will help reduce crowding so that you have room for all of your teeth.
Conditions That May Require Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is often needed when dental problems are present or if you have a condition that puts you at risk of having problems later on. Some conditions that may require orthodontic treatment include:
Overbite or Underbite
Overbites occur when upper teeth overlap lower teeth. Underbites occur when lower teeth overlap with upper teeth. An overbite can cause problems eating and chewing food properly. An underbite can cause jaw pain and headaches due to uneven wear on the teeth.
Crossed Teeth
Crossed or misaligned teeth create gaps between them that cause food to get stuck in between them which leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
Tongue Thrusting
When a person thrusts their tongue out while eating, it causes abnormal wear on the front of their teeth (incisors) which can lead to chipping or cracking of these teeth over time.
Open bite
This condition occurs when there is too much space between your upper front teeth when you close your mouth normally (see image). Orthodontic treatment can help close this gap by moving the upper jaw forward so that it closes fully over your lower teeth when you close your mouth normally.
Sum Up
Whether they are decided upon by a parent or recommended by a doctor, orthodontic treatments are available to patients of all ages. Interestingly, Orthodontics in Toowoomba offers these kinds of treatments for you.
For younger children who have yet to complete their top and bottom teeth coming in, there is a treatment to bring them all into uniformity. There is even treatment for adults seeking the white smile that comes from straight teeth and an attractive bite. Orthodontic treatment is available from your dentist, no matter your age.