Reasons Why You Might Need to Visit an Orthodontist
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You are often reminded of the importance of visiting a dentist several times each year. However, much is not said about the importance or the various ways of maintaining your oral health. Dentists at times refer individuals to orthodontists to have their jaw and bite irregularities fixed. Sadly it is not a common practice. It is essential to know when you should initiate a visit to an orthodontist. 

Let's take a look at the reasons why you might need to visit a dentist. 

1. Having Overcrowded Teeth

In adulthood, some individuals might develop more teeth in a limited space in the mouth resulting in their mouths being overcrowded with teeth. Overcrowded teeth are difficult to clean thoroughly apart from the fact that they'll also ruin dental aesthetics. Failure to clean them appropriately can cause dirt to build up allowing bacteria to thrive. Dr. Courtney Dunn, an experienced Phoenix orthodontist says that the long-term consequences of these bacterial activities can lead to gum problems and dental illnesses like gingivitis. Regular visits to an orthodontist will come in handy as they will help in extracting the extra teeth, enhance spacing, and facilitate easy cleaning for better oral hygiene. 

2. Teeth Straightening

It is essential to visit an orthodontist to have your teeth straightened. Crooked teeth structures can be physically bothersome and could affect your confidence and lower your self-esteem. Orthodontists have various types of braces to straighten your teeth. They can fix braces that suit your lifestyle the most and help you in reclaiming your self-worth.

3. Bite Irregularities

Bite Irregularities

Malocclusion and misalignment in bites are very common in most adults. Some patients can have one or more bite issues ranging from open bites, crossbites, overbites, or underbites. These bite irregularities can alter the facial shape of an individual. If not corrected in time, bite irregularities can cause more health problems such as headaches, speech issues, clenching challenges, and teeth grinding. Crossbites can cause a misalignment of the upper and lower jaws which is often a painful ordeal. 

4. Sleeping Problems

Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing has been interfered with while asleep. This is a serious medical condition that must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. This problem is often caused by the misalignment of your jaws and teeth. Consulting with an orthodontist can help in detecting such problems before they develop into serious health problems and in treating and managing them. 

5. Correcting Facial Appearances

Having a great smile is all that it takes to brighten your facial appearance. A visit to an orthodontist can greatly help with this. Furthermore, you can benefit from their unsolicited advice on the various issues that will have a huge impact on your facial structure. 

To understand how your dental formula can affect your facial structure, you'll need to find an experienced orthodontist who will be keen and meticulous in examining you and in providing you with effective solutions. Among the factors that you'll need to consider when it comes to choosing the best orthodontist include: 

  • Their level of expertise

  • Their experience

  • The dental equipment used and the technology applied in rectifying various dental issues

  • Location 

  • Treatment costs

  • They must offer family-friendly services

6. Getting Rid Of Removable Dental Appliances/Treatments

Dental treatments or fixtures are aimed at applying pressure on the jaws and it's this pressure that makes it possible to align the teeth. Some teeth alignment problems are so severe and might require the application of removable or fixed oral appliances. Among such include: 

  • Space retainers

  • Palatal expanders

  • Jaw splints

  • Wire braces

  • Cheek and lip bumpers

If you have a removable dental appliance, then it's of paramount importance to schedule an appointment with your dentist, and when the time is right, they'll play a colossal role in removing it. 

7. Treating Speech Impediments

Like your tongue, your teeth play a vital if not a crucial role in your speech. Speech impediment is a common problem among patients with dental irregularities. Speech impediment can, and oftentimes, present itself as a minor lisp or stutter. Depending on the severity of the condition, it's a problem that can be corrected by correcting a dental issue. But it's of utmost necessity to reiterate the importance of finding the best orthodontist who'll help to diagnose, advise, or treat the problem. 

8. Servicing Teeth Brackets

Servicing Teeth Brackets

If you've recently received teeth brackets as a means to adjust or align your teeth, then it's critical that you keep up with your dental visits. In so doing, it ensures that your brackets are in their intended position, broken brackets and wires are replaced, and that the brackets are not in any way interfering with your overall dental health. 

Additionally, you'll also want to visit your orthodontist to have your brackets adjusted. This will help to ensure that no additional harm will befall your teeth or mess up your dental structure. When neglected, brackets have the potential to ruin one's dental and facial structure. This is among the reasons why scheduling appointments with a qualified orthodontist is highly recommended in the dental world.

9. Treating Bleeding Or Puffy Gums

These are perhaps the most common dental problems. Unfortunately, they are also the most ignored among dental patients. This has led to so many people suffering from other dental problems as well as other health issues as a result. Bleeding and puffy gums are often associated with gingivitis and are also the early symptoms of gum inflammation. Ignoring such problems can lead to loss of gum tissue, and in the most extreme conditions, affect your jawbone. Visiting an orthodontist will help in detecting and treating such problems and in the maintenance of your oral health. 

While most people visit an orthodontist because of aesthetic issues with their jaws or teeth, there are so many health benefits you can reap from such visits. Visiting an orthodontist at the right time could prevent you from experiencing dental and oral problems as well as in the maintenance of healthy teeth. Schedule a visit with one today and see how it goes from there. 

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