Whether you need dental braces or not can be a challenging decision to make. However, an experienced orthodontist can make it easier for you. Thanks to modern orthodontic techniques and treatments, more and more people opt for braces to correct their dental problems.
Even though there are signs you could look for in the comfort of your home to determine whether it is time for braces, it is always ideal to consult a professional orthodontist. In this blog, we discuss what signs to look for to tell whether or not it is time to wear braces.
How to Know If You Need Dental Braces
The indications that it is time to wear dental braces vary depending on age and dental health. You might need to put on braces if any of the following are true:
You Have Difficulty Chewing
If you barely chew your food before swallowing or feel like you are not chewing your food enough, it might mean that you should wear braces. Dental braces can enable you to correctly align your teeth and jaw so you can properly chew your food. This will have several health benefits.
For example, food will be more broken down when you swallow and digest it, resulting in a straightforward digestive process, better gut health, and obtaining more nutrients from your food. Additionally, you will have more energy once you start chewing your food better. Sometimes, not chewing your food enough may drain your energy.
There Is Spacing or Gapping Between Your Teeth
Another indication that you may need dental braces is when you have conspicuous spacing between your teeth. Spacing or gapping is the opposite of crowding. You should easily be able to tell if there are spaces between your teeth since you will notice the teeth are not as close together or as even as in other individuals.
Generally, spacing and gapping occur due to missing teeth or a prominent jaw. Because gaps between teeth may not be pleasing, you may want to wear dental braces to enhance your appearance. Wearing dental braces can assist you in solving this spacing and gapping problem. They close the gaps between the teeth and push them into their original position.
If left untreated, spacing and gapping can cause problems when chewing or speaking and affect your appearance. Big gaps can result in plaque buildup, inflammation of gum tissue, bad breath, and infection.
You Have an Overjet and Overbite
Another thing you should look out for to determine if you need braces is an overjet or overbite. Overjet and overbite are dental conditions where the top front teeth protrude outward. While an overjet has a greater horizontal difference between the front lower and upper teeth, an overbite is marked by an excessive vertical distance between the two sets. A deep overbite happens when the top teeth entirely cover the lower teeth. These conditions are often referred to as buck or misaligned teeth.
You can usually tell you have an overjet by looking closely at your front teeth in the mirror. Have they stuck out? Or do you chew mainly with your upper rather than your lower teeth? An overjet and overbite are usually more noticeable. Consequently, you have a higher chance of discovering yours early.
Overbites and overjets affect facial appearance and chewing. And if left untreated, they can also lead to hearing difficulties, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), a higher risk of trauma to the front teeth, gum recession, and excessive wear on the lower teeth. An orthodontist may assist you in returning those teeth to their proper position using aligners or braces, depending on how severe your condition is.
You Have an Underbite
Having an underbite is something you might not consider a dental problem. An underbite is the opposite of an overbite or overjet (rather than the top teeth covering the bottom teeth, the bottom teeth cover the top teeth). However, it has the same problems as an overjet or overbite if not treated. An underbite generally occurs when the jaw is disproportionate and the lower teeth are much more forward than the rest of the mouth. It can impact chewing and appearance and result in severe jaw pain and uneven tooth wear.
The ideal way to know if you have an underbite is to check your teeth closely in front of a mirror and observe whether your lower front teeth are further up in the mouth than the upper front teeth. Also, observe whether you chew food mostly with your lower teeth or with your upper ones.
An underbite might not be as noticeable or evident as an overjet or overbite. If you are unsure if you have one, observe how you chew when you eat your next snack or meal.
If left untreated, an underbite could result in jaw pain. You may also find it challenging to eat some foods. Dental braces can assist in returning the teeth to their original position and ease any potential jaw pain you may experience. Is
You Have Crowded Teeth
Another indication that you may need dental braces is when your teeth are crowded. If you are not sure you have crowded teeth, look closely in a mirror if you are unsure whether you have crowded teeth. You may discover that some of your teeth are closer together than others. Alternatively, you could observe other people and see that their teeth are not as close together as yours. Braces can assist you in achieving the appropriate spacing between teeth.
You Have Crooked Teeth
Another indication that you might need dental braces is if you have crooked teeth. Again, stand in front of a mirror, open your mouth, and check whether all of your teeth balance out together. Check if they all align in a straight line. If you discover any irregularities, consult your orthodontist about wearing braces.
Crooked and crowded teeth are the most prevalent conditions that orthodontists treat. If your mouth does not have adequate space for all your teeth to fit comfortably, the teeth will push against one another and cause crooked or crowded teeth. With time, crowding can worsen and may lead to hard-to-brush or floss areas, increasing the chances of developing tooth decay, bad breath, chronic headaches, and gum disease. You want to undergo treatment for crowded or crooked teeth early to avert more severe dental problems.
You Have a Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when the top and lower jaws are misaligned. It leads to the top teeth sitting behind the uppers and may impact one or several teeth. A crossbite may lead to asymmetrical jaw growth, increased gum recession, and excessive tooth wear without treatment. Braces can effectively treat crossbites.
You Have an Open Bite
An open bite is when your teeth do not touch when you bite down. Open bites can cause speech issues and difficulty eating if not treated. Various orthodontic appliances, including braces, treat open bites.
Other signs that you may need to wear dental braces include the following:
- Noticing misaligned teeth when your mouth is at rest.
- Hearing clicking or popping noises in your jaw whenever you first wake up or eat.
- Experiencing headaches and muscle pain around your jaw.
- Having challenges pronouncing particular words due to the tongue position below your teeth.
- Having challenges brushing around and flossing between crooked teeth.
- Often biting or cutting your tongue on your teeth.
Signs Your Child May Need Dental Braces
Knowing whether your baby needs braces can be challenging. However, there are still signs you can watch out for. Most children must visit an orthodontist when they are about seven years old. The dentist can tell if your child needs braces or has more problems. Signs that your young one may need dental braces resemble those of adults. Others include the following:
- Using a pacifier or thumb-sucking after two years.
- Breathing through the mouth.
- Popping or clicking jaws.
- Losing baby teeth late or early.
- Misaligned teeth when their mouth is closed.
- Frequently, cutting or biting the roof of the mouth, tongue, or inside of the cheek accidentally.
- Teeth that do not come together even when the mouth is shut completely.
Poor nutrition at the toddler or infant stage, genetics, and poor dental hygiene are reasons why toddlers might need dental braces.
The placement of dental braces takes little time. Generally, it can take a few hours, although the aftercare and lead-up take time. Attaching braces necessitates strict care, regular adjustments, and commitment. It is also essential to understand what you must do to wear braces.
In many cases, the actual process takes two hours, although some factors affect the time it will take. These factors include the type of dental braces you prefer and the problem you are correcting.
At your appointment, your orthodontist will clean and dry your teeth, attach the brackets of the braces to the front surface of the teeth using glue, fix the wire in the brace brackets, and hold it in place using elastic bands.
To ensure the braces last long enough to fix the dental problem you wish fixed, you must wear them for eighteen to twenty-four months.
If your problem is particularly severe, the treatment might last up to three years. If your issue is minor and you comply with all your dental appointments, the treatment may last up to six to 12 months, depending on the case.
However, removing your dental braces will be an exciting experience if you have been wearing them for three or two years. And after you feel your newly-achieved smile, you will know everything was worth it. The process of removing braces will take approximately one hour.
What If I Am Not Qualified For Braces?
Note that you may have signs indicating you need dental braces, but you must also know whether dental braces are an ideal option. Some factors may make you ineligible for dental braces, including unhealthy gums and teeth or loose teeth because of a non-healthy root canal.
If you are an unideal candidate for dental braces, there are other options your orthodontist may recommend for correcting your dental problems. These include the following:
Headgear
If you have a misaligned bite and do not qualify for braces, your orthodontist may suggest headgear to adjust the position of your jaw. The main disadvantage of this appliance is that it is not discrete and may take some time for results to show. For headgear, a strap wraps the back of the neck or head, and wires go around the side of the face to the mouth. The headgear exerts a slight pressure on the jaw and teeth. You will generally wear this device several hours a day until the jaw is effectively aligned.
Dental Retainers
If your teeth are only slightly crooked or overcrowded, you can align them with a dental retainer. Dental retainers are often used to maintain tooth alignment after you put on braces. However, for slight adjustments, they may suffice.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are a common alternative to braces. They correct crooked teeth and other cosmetic problems just as much as braces do. They also require low maintenance; therefore, you need not worry about further upkeep. Simply floss, brush, and stick to your scheduled dental visits to keep them protected and healthy.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are another excellent alternative to metal braces. Rather than rubber bands, brackets, and metal wires, you will receive a series of clear, customized aligners that will slowly straighten your teeth with time. These are clear, so they do not draw attention like traditional braces, and they are removable so that you can floss and brush normally.
Find a Professional Orthodontist Near Me
At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we recommend dental braces for more than just aesthetic reasons. Even though braces can significantly improve your general appearance, their crucial function is to fix your bite and enhance your dental health. If you are unsure whether it is time to wear braces or whether wearing braces will correct your dental problems, speak to us for appropriate advice.
Call us today for a consultation at 818-751-5100. We will examine your dental situation and recommend the best treatment option. We serve patients seeking dental treatment in Encino, CA.
