If your teeth are improperly aligned, your dentist may recommend that you get braces. This process can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and expensive, but orthodontics are highly successful. Getting braces will leave you with a dazzling smile and a plethora of oral health benefits. If you see the signs you need braces, or you want to learn more about the advantages of getting braces, contact South High Dental at 614.363.2462.
Signs You Need Braces
If you’re an adult, the signs that you need braces will vary based on your age and dental health. This option is quite common, as experts estimate that only about a third of adults have teeth that are aligned properly. In addition, usually, choosing to get adult orthodontics results in positive change.
The signs you need braces aren’t difficult to see. If your teeth are visibly crooked or crowded, making it difficult to floss and brush, you may benefit from getting braces. Furthermore, if you frequently bite your tongue by accident or your teeth don’t align over each other when your mouth is closed, braces may be able to help. They can also be useful if you have problems pronouncing specific sounds or your jaw clicks when you chew. In addition, if you feel stress or fatigue at your jaw after you finish chewing your food, getting braces may be a good idea.
However, only a dentist and an orthodontist can determine whether you’re a good candidate for braces. If you think you see the signs that you need braces, talk to your dentist and ask about your options.
Do The Signs You Need Braces Differ in Children?
It can be more challenging to determine whether your child needs braces. In general, most of the signs that you need braces apply to children as well. However, if they continue to suck their thumb or a pacifier or lose their baby teeth early or late, this is an additional sign that they may need to get braces in the future.
When Should I Think About Getting Braces?
Most experts agree that children should see an orthodontist by the age of seven, even if you don’t see any crowded or slanted teeth. If an orthodontist can identify problem areas early, they can have more expedient treatment, and improving their smile can be more successful. However, experts don’t agree on when the best age for getting braces is. This aspect of treatment varies from person to person. For most people, treatment begins between 9-14 years of age, after they have finished getting their permanent teeth.
That said, for some people getting braces in childhood is out of the question. It may be too expensive or inconvenient. Alternatively, they may not have been to see an orthodontist. In such cases, they may not be able to get braces until they become an adult. Regrettably, as you get older, your jaw also continues to grow, causing overcrowded and crooked teeth. These problems don’t fix themselves, meaning that many adults are unhappy with their smiles. Fortunately, there isn’t an age limit to when you can get braces.
At South High Dental, we’re proud to provide excellent dental services to our patients. We offer both Invisalign orthodontics and traditional braces. We also provide a range of other services, including:
You don’t have to live with a crooked or unattractive smile anymore. Let the experts at South High Dental help you. If you think you see the signs that you need braces, our Columbus, Ohio dentist’s office is here to help. Contact us by calling 614.363.2462 today.
