Improve Your Smile With Orthodontics
Improving your smile with orthodontics can increase your confidence & self-esteem. But straight
teeth are beneficial for more than just your appearance. When teeth are not properly aligned,
they can be difficult to clean well enough to prevent tooth decay. If you can't get floss
between your teeth to clean out plaque, you risk unchecked tooth decay & gum disease.
Additionally, orthodontics can be used to treat problems with how the teeth of your upper & lower
jaws line up, known as your bite. Called malocclusion by dentists, you might have an underbite,
overbite or crossbite that can cause a host of issues. For example, misaligned teeth may rub
against each other or collide, wearing them down unnecessarily; or a misaligned jaw may cause
TMD symptoms, such as pain in the head, neck or shoulders.
The Best Time For Orthodontic Treatment
The best time to get orthodontic treatment is between the ages of 10 & 14 while the teeth are
still moving into their final places. However, teeth move throughout life, so there isn't a bad
time to get treatment. In fact, adults are straightening their teeth more commonly these days
due to the benefits to both appearance & functionality of straight teeth, as well as the
increased options available to them.
Traditional braces, using metal brackets & wires, are still common, but cost & treatment times
have gone down over the years. Some braces systems were created to be quick, with treatment as
short as six months. There are even ceramic or plastic options that are less visible than the
metal brackets. And, of course, clear aligners are very popular because they are not visible &
can be removed.
While orthodontic technologies work moving your teeth, it's important to keep up with regular
cleaning habits & visits to your dentist. If you have traditional braces, you might be tempted
to skip flossing, but because food easily gets stuck in the hardware & between moving teeth,
it's even more important to floss every day, or even after every meal. Your dentist will show
you how to thoroughly clean around your braces, including how to use threader tools to get floss
behind the wires.
Cleaning your teeth is much easier with clear aligners, as you simply need to remove the aligners
to brush & floss your teeth like normal.
Orthodontic treatments can give you the beautiful & straight smile you desire, but they can also
benefit your oral health. So while you'll certainly have a more beautiful smile at the end of
your orthodontic treatment, you'll also have a more functional, healthier smile!
We are proud to offer a range of orthodontics options for our patients. If you are interested in
orthodontics for either cosmetic or functional reasons, please start a discussion with us about
your options.