Having crooked or uneven teeth can seriously affect one’s confidence and may hinder their ability to go about their daily life. Aside from the very obvious signs – such as having crooked teeth – that signify that one may need to get braces in the near future, there are a number of other symptoms that one should look out for. Irrespective of your age, you may qualify for braces and be a suitable candidate if you feel the need for them. Given below are a few reasons that detail how and when one needs to get braces, and if you match with any of the reasons below, it may be time to contact your dentist:
1) You feel you have an open bite
An open bite is defined as when both your top and bottom teeth are angled outwards and do not touch each other when you shut your mouth. This classifies an open bit as a malocclusion, which can be caused due to a number of reasons such as extended use of pacifiers as a child, thumb-sucking, or even bone problems. By getting braces in a timely manner, you will be able to correct your open bite.
2) You see gaps and spaces in your teeth
If there are evident and visible gaps between your teeth, you should consider getting braces as braces can shift your teeth together in place to eliminate the said gaps. Braces can align your teeth together and save you from the troubles caused due to irregularly spaced teeth such as chewing issues, gum diseases, and bad breath. However, if gaps exist in your teeth due to missing teeth, you should consider getting dental implants instead.
3) You feel you have an underbite
An underbite is defined as when your upper teeth are overlapped by your lower teeth when you close your jaw. This is essentially a misalignment of the lower jaw that can use difficulties in eating, speaking, and chronic tooth decay. It may also cause sleeping problems in some such as sleep apnea and by getting braces the patient would be able to correct their jaw and shift its alignment.
4) You have overcrowded teeth
Overcrowded teeth refer to when there is a lot of misalignment in your jaw with multiple teeth overlapping each other. Overcrowdedness in teeth leads to permanent teeth not coming out like they are supposed to. Such teeth are difficult to clean and hence prone to a lot of dental problems and tooth decay along with cavities. By using braces, the overcrowdedness in your teeth can be noticeably reduced.
In addition to the above, if you feel other dental issues such as losing your baby teeth too soon or experiencing jaw problems in the form of locked jaws or popping noises too often, you would still need to consider getting braces. Other problems such as an uneven bite, or your teeth hitting your inner cheek or tongue constantly, you might still need braces. In any of the above scenarios, you should seek professional help and consult your dentist prior to getting braces or any other relevant treatment.
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