There comes a time in you or your child’s life when you begin to consider the positive effects orthodontic treatment can have on your smile. While many people assume that braces or aligners are only necessary when your teeth are crooked, there are many other signs that may indicate that you need to see an orthodontist.
When To See an Orthodontist
Misaligned Bite
If your teeth don’t align properly when you bite down, you may experience a number of issues that orthodontic treatments can repair. You may have several different bites such as:
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Overbite: Your top teeth protrude over your bottom ones.
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Underbite: Your bottom teeth protrude from underneath your top ones.
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Openbite: Your top and bottom teeth don’t touch when you close your mouth.
Crowded Teeth
Overcrowding may seem like a cosmetic issue, but it can actually lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and make it difficult to chew or speak. Orthodontic treatment can help spread teeth out and into the proper place.
Gaps Between Teeth
A small gap likely won’t cause your smile too much harm, but if you have large gaps between your teeth or several of them throughout your mouth, you should seek treatment to close the gaps. Otherwise, food and bacteria can get caught in the spaces or you could experience eating or speech difficulties.
Speech Problems
It’s entirely possible for young children to have speech issues, but if the problems continue as they mature, they could be dental-related. It may be best to see an orthodontist see how treatment can help.