Proper orthodontic care is essential

ORTHODONTICS is the branch of dentistry that deals with correcting teeth that are positioned incorrectly and is a treatment availed of both children and adults. For many people the primary assumption associated with orthodontic work tends to focus on the aesthetic benefits associated with straightening and re-aligning crooked teeth. While this is certainly true, in recent years people are starting to measure the many associative health benefits that come with having orthodontic treatment.

Crooked teeth are more difficult to keep clean which lead to secondary problems like enhanced tooth decay and periodontal disease – which is basically gum disease that causes inflammation and damage to the soft bone and tissue that support teeth. A further issue for those in need of orthodontic work is the misalignment of the jaw which puts added pressure and stress on the chewing muscles that leads to severe migraines and even pain to the neck, shoulder and back.

So while it may be accurate to suggest crooked teeth can undermine a person’s smile, they equally cause stress and discomfort along the lines of ill-health which is why you should seek professional advice about correctional treatment.

Prior to orthodontic work people have what is commonly referred to as ‘crowded’ or ‘crooked’ teeth and orthodontic work will remedy this by straightening and moving teeth into a better position. The benefits of having treatment outweighs the worry insofar as cleaning teeth becomes easier and you will feel more confident about their appearance while teeth will also ‘ bite’ together properly. Of course only your dentist or orthodontist can decide if you need treatment and this will normally be determined by a series of basic tests. For example, medical and dental history, clinical exam, plaster models of your teeth and special X-rays. Following this the best recommended treatment can then be tailored to suit your specific needs.

Some of the more common signs which may indicate a need for orthodontic treatment includes the following: having a ‘Misplaced Midline’ (when the centre of your upper teeth does not line up with the centre of your lower front teeth). Similarly, an ‘Open Bite’ is the space between the biting surfaces of the front and/or side teeth when the back teeth bite together. The latter causes much discomfort as it leads to unintended biting of the inner mouth area.

‘Spacing’ is another example of the need for treatment and this is a more easily recognisable problem. Spacing occurs where gaps between the teeth form as a result of missing teeth, or teeth that do not ‘fill up’ the mouth. Conversely, is the aforementioned ‘Crowding’ which occures when there are too many teeth vying for position within the mouth which leads to them becoming lopsided and crooked.

These are some of the common symptoms that may indicate you require orthodontic work and are general guidelines as only your dentist or orthodontist can offer an accurate estimate of dental requirements.

It is worth keeping in mind there are many methods available nowadays to help people feel better and more confident about their teeth and modern orthodontic treatments have come a long way in recent years offering more enhanced and subtle forms of correctional work. It pays to have your teeth assessed by a professional as short-term work will reap long-term benefits.