Yellow and Improper Teeth: Help!
QI am a 23-year-old woman, with nonaligned teeth. I always hide them while laughing or smiling, because they have turned yellow, even though I brush every day. Now that I am getting married in four months, I want this embarrassment to stop. Please tell me if there is a good solution that can help me fix this childhood problem.
AMisaligned teeth or crooked teeth are major dental and lifestyle concerns of the youth today. Your problems are one of the most common ones.
Both your problems — misaligned and yellow teeth — are connected to each other, in a way. Because of misalignment, you are unable to brush properly which is leading to the yellow (plaque) appearance and bad breath.
Crooked teeth and other teeth, that do not fit together correctly causes discomfort and are harder to keep clean, due to which, there is a risk of early tooth loss, tooth decay and periodontal disease. If not treated, this can also cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, neck, shoulder and back pain. The good news is that in today’s age, the orthodontic treatments (orthodontics) are simplified and almost painless. The benefits of orthodontic treatments include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
It involves correcting teeth that are badly positioned, crooked or overcrowded, as well as closing gaps between teeth. This is done by using orthodontic braces which help move the teeth into the correct positions and alignment. Today there are many different types of braces with ‘invisible’ braces becoming increasingly popular, particularly for adult patients. In fact, it is really never too late to have your teeth straightened with numerous options for more convenient, faster and effective treatments, at your disposal. The severity of your case will determine which orthodontic approach is likely to be the most effective.
Fixed procedures:
Braces — Once installed, braces are usually adjusted monthly to bring about the desired results. Today’s braces are smaller, lighter and show far less metal than those of the past. They come in bright colours for kids and clear styles preferred by many adults.
Removable procedures:
Aligners — an alternative to traditional braces for adults, serial aligners are being used by an increasing number of orthodontists to move teeth in the same way that fixed appliances work, only without metal wires and brackets. Aligners are virtually invisible and can be removed while eating and brushing. Since you are getting married in four months, I feel aligners will be the best possible solution in your situation considering the time frame, because all the other treatments may take 12 to 18 months depending on severity of the problem. Fixed orthodontic treatments need frequent visits to the dentist while aligners may not require so many visits. This will also give you an option of starting the treatment now and continuing it after your marriage, maintaining your tooth’s natural look.
Correcting your teeth also contribute to the health of your jaw, teeth and sometimes your overall health. Results will be long term. It will also help you brush your teeth properly, which in turn changes the yellowish appearance.