Braces can address a variety of orthodontic and dental problems, whether they have to do with how your teeth perform or how you look. Braces can be just what you need if you feel that your smile isn’t just right. However, how can one determine whether braces are needed?
Our Glasgow orthodontic experts have contributed to the creation of this guidance on determining whether you need to wear braces. We’ll go over the symptoms, warning signs, and how braces can help address them.
Braces for crooked or crowded teeth
In terms of how they affect your smile, some issues might initially appear to be purely cosmetic. However, there are also unseen risks associated with a lot of aesthetic dental problems.
Teeth that are crowded or crooked are just two examples of this. Multiple factors, some of which are beyond our control, might result in crooked or overcrowded teeth. A person’s jaw size and genetics are important factors, but early tooth loss can also reduce the space available for full teeth to erupt, causing crowding and crookedness. You can potentially have misplaced your teeth as a result of oral or dental injuries. Moreover, habits like smoking or thumb-sucking can cause problems that cause teeth to move out of alignment.
We often encounter patients who are more worried about the appearance of their crowded or crooked teeth than they are about how this may affect their oral health. We all know that crooked teeth can make it much more difficult to properly clean your teeth, which can eventually result in the buildup of plaque with harmful bacteria.
Those with crooked teeth who haven’t tried orthodontic treatment may have already noticed some oral hygiene issues and would benefit from a thorough professional cleaning, scaling, and polishing. But this isn’t a long-term answer! The long-term benefits of braces may include improved look and easier tooth cleaning.
Crooked teeth might wear out more quickly because of friction, besides to being more difficult to clean. Later on, this may require expensive and intrusive repairs. Because braces progressively pull teeth upright, they can help move crooked teeth into place.
Braces for Gaps Between Teeth
Braces are a popular treatment for diastema, or spaces between teeth, in a variety of severity. Some gaps are just the result of things that are out of our control, including differences in the sizes of our jaws and teeth. Other causes of unnatural gaps include missing teeth or bad habits.
Wider gaps are more likely to be linked to other issues, including dental health issues, but even small gaps could damage self-confidence. As plaque forms in the crevices between teeth, food can get stuck there and raise the risk of gum disease.
When the teeth are pushed or pulled into the right position, braces and orthodontic solutions can assist in resolving these problems. Invisalign and other visible orthodontic methods can often fill minor gaps, but more permanent treatments like ceramic fixed braces may be necessary for bigger gaps.
Braces for Bite Issues
In dental terminology, bite problems are often referred to as malocclusions, which orthodontics can help address. Below, we will discuss which types of bite issues might require the use of braces, as well as how braces can help in certain cases.
Overbite
An overbite is where the upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw to somewhat considerable. This can cause wear and tear on the front teeth, particularly the backs of the teeth. Once worn down, these teeth become weaker and risk breakage, which is especially noticeable due to the position of these teeth, making it crucial to consider braces.
Underbite
A noticeable underbite occurs when the lower jaw sticks out from behind the upper jaw. This may result in a chin that appears longer and other changed facial features. In addition to making it difficult to bite and eat normally, an underbite can cause jaw strain because it puts excessive strain on your muscles. This can lead to speech issues as well, such as a lisp, which orthodontics can help correct.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when your jaw is misaligned or has an overbite and underbite in certain areas. This results in the impacted teeth wearing unevenly and increases the chance of some teeth breaking. As a result, you can have recurrent jaw pain or TMJ issues.
Lisp
A lisp occurs when too much air escapes during the pronunciation of specific syllables due to gaps or misalignments in the front teeth. This also involves whistling noises produced by speech-related bite or tooth gaps.
Slurred Speech
Crowded teeth may be the cause of mumbling in certain situations. Because there is less room for muscles to aid in articulation, the tongue may not move as it should to produce certain sounds.
Both of the mentioned speech issues brought on by orthodontic abnormalities can be resolved with braces. Without considering the possible avoidance of creating specific sounds due to TMJ disorders or the related pain, bite problems can often influence speech clarity based only on function.
If you need assistance with speech issues brought on by misaligned teeth, hidden braces, also called lingual braces, are a discreet solution. Although they are not visible from the front because they are placed on the back of teeth, Invisalign might be a better choice for people who would find it difficult to form sounds correctly because of the brackets and wires.
Final Thoughts: How would you know if you need braces?
Speak with an Orthodontist or dentist to know if you may need braces. Beyond simply straightening teeth, braces can also help you chew better, floss more easily, and lower your risk of tooth decay, particularly if your teeth are close together or protrude.
Orthodontic treatment can help align your teeth for improved function and a healthier smile, whether you opt for contemporary aligners or classic braces.
The experts at Southside Dental Care Glasgow are available to walk you through the procedure and give you a smile that is healthier and more self-assured. To find the best braces option for you, schedule a consultation today!
