Crooked teeth can result in a series of problems, from difficulties eating and speaking to gum diseases – not to mention the hit to your self-confidence. That’s where orthodontic treatments come in handy, and braces are commonly used to fix these issues.
Braces can help with a lot of problems related to your mouth. Here are some examples:
1. **Misaligned Jaw**: If your upper and lower teeth aren’t lining up correctly, you might experience jaw pain. Through braces, your teeth can be straightened out and your jaw aligned correctly, making your face a lot more comfortable.
2. **Overcrowded Teeth**: If you’ve got too many teeth for your mouth, that can cause dental hygiene problems as it’s harder to clean. The solution is often removing some of the extra teeth and using braces to get the remaining teeth in order.
3. **Excess Spacing**: When your teeth have too much space in between, this can carry over from childhood into adulthood and cause issues like incorrect swallowing reflexes. Braces can gradually move your teeth closer together to fix this.
4. **Crooked Teeth**: Aside from being a sign of overcrowding, crooked teeth make you prone to gum infections. Braces are a great solution, especially for children, as they can straighten teeth over two to three years.
5. **Overbite & Underbite**: When your upper teeth sit far ahead or far back of your lower teeth, braces can apply gentle pressure to move your teeth into a balanced position, helping you avoid problems like an unbalanced facial appearance.
6. **Crossbite & Open Bite**: Crossbite is a condition where your upper teeth don’t come over the lower teeth when biting, while open bite is when your teeth slant outwards, preventing them from touching each other. Braces can align your teeth and fix these biting issues.
7. **Excess Overjet**: This involves an abnormal overlapping between certain upper and lower teeth. Using metal or ceramic braces, this issue can be resolved.
8. **TMD**: Temporomandibular disorder puts pressure on the joint connecting your jaw to your skull. By aligning your teeth, braces can help reduce this pressure.
9. **Periodontal Disease**: Serious misalignment can interfere with proper brushing and flossing which in turn, can cause gingivitis and other gum diseases. Braces assist in straightening your teeth and improving your oral hygiene.
10. **Speaking & Chewing Issues**: If your teeth aren’t aligned, you could have trouble speaking clearly or chewing properly. Braces help align the jaw correctly, improving your bite and pronunciation.
11. **Self-esteem**: A smile with straight, properly spaced teeth can do wonders for your confidence. For a stealthy option, Invisalign braces, made from transparent plastic, are almost invisible.
12. **Excess Wear & Tear**: Misaligned teeth can lead to cracked teeth, jaw strain, and even chronic headaches. Braces can straighten your teeth, reducing the wear and tear in your mouth.
So there you have it! If your teeth are causing you problems, braces might just be the ticket to a healthier, happier mouth.
**About the Author**:
Dr. Satish Pai
Dr. Pai is an orthodontist and Ivy League trained dentist who not only provides top-notch treatment but also educates people about the importance of good oral health. He spends his free time doing fun activities like golfing, practicing yoga, surfing, and being with his family.
