The Common Dental Problems Braces Can Fix

It’s drilled into us from an early age to take care of our teeth and gums. Maintaining good oral hygiene is a key part of your overall health and wellbeing. Even if you’re brushing, flossing, and being careful with what you eat, there are some dental problems that may be out of your control, such as misaligned teeth. 

The good news is that there is a solution to solving most common dental problems in the form of braces. Today, we have all kinds of different braces, such as traditional braces, clear aligners, and invisible ones. Both children and adults can gain numerous benefits from orthodontic treatment. Braces help in solving numerous tooth problems, such as those listed below.

Jaw Problems

Many individuals who have serious jaw alignment issues ask whether braces can fix the problem. They may also wonder whether braces can fix an even jaw. In some instances, braces treatment can help in correcting jaw alignment issues. If you have a misaligned jaw, this can make chewing uncomfortable. What’s more, a misaligned jaw can cause breathing issues and crossbites. 

Braces or dental appliances can treat an uneven jaw in some cases. However, more serious issues often require surgery. If your jaw is causing you excruciating pain that’s impacting your day-to-day life, it’s important to see a doctor straight away. 

Overcrowding 

A large percentage of the US population has overcrowding. This is when the teeth bunch up and overlap. Overcrowding can be painful at times. If you have overcrowding, you may have more trouble brushing and flossing. Understandably, this can have a huge effect on your oral health. If you’re unable to keep on top of your oral health due to overcrowding, you’re at an increased risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

Braces are an effective treatment for overcrowding. However, you may need to have some teeth taken out first before treatment begins. As you see your teeth begin to align in the right position, not only will you be left with a healthier smile, but your oral hygiene will significantly improve as a result. 

Overbites and Underbites

Individuals who have bite issues can also benefit from getting braces. Some of the most common of these are overbites and underbites. An overbite is when the top front teeth extend beyond the bottom front teeth. Lots of people have a slight overbite. Although, a severe overbite can lead to tooth decay, jaw pain, and gum disease. Overbites can be prevented from childhood. This can be done by limiting pacifier and thumb-sucking use.

An underbite on the other hand is when the back teeth are closed, the lower jaw rest in front of the upper jaw. Consequently, the chin appears to have an abnormal appearance. Also, underbites make it difficult to eat. If you are looking into underbite correction without surgery, check out the different options from ALIGNERCO. They offer clear aligner treatment which may fix an underbite smile and help improve your oral health.

Open Bites

An open bite happens when there is an excessively large space between the lower and upper teeth. Open bites aren’t a malocclusion issue. This is because an open bite occurs from too much sucking of the thumb. There are numerous signs which can signal you have an open bite. These include problems swallowing or chewing, having a less-pronounced chin, speech issues like a lisp, and improper teeth alignment.

The great news is braces can fix an open bite. When your open bite is corrected, the back teeth come together more often. This will balance out your bite. Correcting an open bite isn’t only good for aesthetic purposes, but for your overall health too. Make sure to see a dentist first as they can establish whether you have an open bite or not.

Crossbite

A crossbite is when the teeth do not line up properly when the mouth is shut. A crossbite can affect a singular tooth or several, like your back or front teeth. Usually, the upper teeth are wider and rest on the outside of the bottom teeth.

Braces are fantastic for fixing cross bites as the wires pull the teeth into the correct position using a calculated force. However, if you have a severe crossbite, jaw surgery may be the only option to align the jaws correctly. Again, you should speak to your dentist as they are professionals who can properly examine your teeth and gums and give the correct diagnosis and treatment. 

Speech Problems

Any tooth misalignment can significantly impact your pronunciation. If you have difficulty conversing with others or find people aren’t able to understand you properly, braces may be the answer to accurately aligning your teeth and enhancing your speech.

Braces can be used to treat speech issues. This is done by eliminating gaps that are caused by an improper jaw or tooth alignment. As you navigate through treatment and come out to the other end, you should find your tongue can now make a solid connection to the roof of your mouth, allowing your speech to flow correctly. When this happens, you should notice a huge boost in your confidence and social life.

Periodontal Issues

Those who have misaligned teeth are at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. This is the most severe type of gum disease that is not curable but can be treated. Periodontal disease is mainly the result of inflammation and infections of the gums, as well as bone that surrounds and supports the teeth. 

Because individuals with tooth misalignment cannot brush and floss their teeth and gums properly, this can speed up periodontal disease. In its final stages, the disease causes swollen gums that ooze puss, loosening of teeth, bone loss, and severe bad breath. To stop periodontal disease from advancing, braces can help. As your teeth align into the right position, this makes it much easier to look after your teeth and gums. 

Difficulty Chewing

Braces treatment has come on leaps and bounds over the years. More and more Americans are opting for braces to help fix dental problems like those above. Whether you opt for traditional braces or try removable aligners, there is no denying that braces can play a major part in boosting your oral hygiene and keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Self-Esteem Issues Linked to Misalignment

While braces carry an array of health and cosmetic benefits, many people who undergo braces treatment find their confidence skyrockets. If you have misaligned teeth, the idea of smiling or having others see your teeth may be too much to bear. Sadly, many people avoid smiling as they become self-conscious about their appearance and how others perceive them.

If you opt for braces and follow through with treatment, your self-esteem will increase and help you feel more comfortable in your own body. Consequently, braces can improve your work performance and spiritual wellbeing. 

If you’ve decided braces are the way forward, make sure to compare your options first. Depending on the type of dental problem you have, one type of braces treatment may be more suitable for you than another. What is for certain is once you start braces treatment and come out the other side, you’ll have a much easier time looking after your teeth and gums.

If you don’t have a dentist yet, you can check out this dentist in Tampa FL now to get started with your orthodontic treatment.