Are you worried about the appearance of your teeth? Maybe they’re starting to look crooked. Perhaps there are unseemly gaps between your smile.
You’re not alone. In fact, about 4 million people in the US wear braces. Around 25% of those individuals are adults.
Whether you or your child needs braces, it helps to know what to look out for. Here are eight signs it’s time to visit your Sandy orthodontist for braces. After reading this guide, you can make an informed decision with your oral health in mind.
Keep reading to discover the signs it’s time to visit your orthodontist in Sandy today.
1. Crooked Teeth
After Googling “signs you need braces,” you might see images of patients with unaligned, crooked teeth. Having crooked teeth could increase your risk of an accident. You could knock a tooth out or scratch the inside of your gums.
Crooked teeth could impact your self-confidence, too. If you recently started hiding your teeth behind closed lips, visit your Sandy orthodontist. They can help you determine if you’re a candidate for braces.
Your teeth could grow crooked if you don’t have enough space in your jaw. It’s possible your adult teeth are growing around baby teeth, too.
Many patients find it difficult to properly brush and floss crooked teeth. Neglecting your oral care could lead to tooth decay or gum disease. You might develop bad breath, too.
Before your crooked teeth impact your overall oral health, visit your UT family orthodontics practice.
Getting braces in Sandy can help. Over time, your braces will straighten your teeth.
You can show off your stunning, straight smile with renewed confidence.
2. An Underbite
Take a look at your teeth in the mirror. Do your bottom teeth overlap your upper teeth? If so, you likely have an underbite.
Consider getting braces in Sandy before the problem develops further. It helps to start orthodontic treatment as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might struggle to chew properly if you have an underbite. If you don’t chew your food, you could develop digestive issues.
A severe underbite can distort the appearance of your face, too. It might even accelerate the aging process. Before that can happen, contact your Sandy orthodontist.
The best Sandy orthodontist can determine the best course of treatment to straighten your teeth. Choosing the right type of braces can resolve your underbite. You can start smiling with new confidence without worrying about accelerated aging.
3. An Overbite
An overbite is the opposite of an underbite. If your top teeth overlap your bottom teeth, consider consulting your orthodontist in Sandy. While a slight overbite is normal, a significant overbite can cause problems.
Bite down and look at the mirror again. How much of your lower teeth can you see? If the lower teeth are hidden completely, you have a severe overbite.
Severe overbites can cause your teeth to wear down over time. You could develop other dental issues as well.
If your top teeth protrude over your lower teeth, you have an overjet. An overjet can put your lower teeth at risk of trauma. Getting braces in Sandy can help.
4. Tooth Gaps
Many patients also consider getting braces in Sandy if they have tooth gaps. A noticeable gap between your teeth can impact your self-confidence. It can contribute to future dental issues, too.
For example, the surrounding teeth might gravitate toward the gap, causing them to appear crooked.
A large gap could increase your risk of gingivitis, too. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. When left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are major causes of tooth loss in adults. Treatment can get costly, too. In fact, Americans spent $129 billion in dental services within a single year for treatment.
You can close the gaps between your teeth by visiting your orthodontist in Sandy. Braces will close the gaps, reducing your risk of other oral health conditions.
5. A Crossbite
A crossbite develops when an upper tooth crosses behind a lower, opposing tooth. It can also occur when teeth don’t meet on each side. A crossbite can cause asymmetric jaw growth.
You can also experience gum recessions and accelerated tooth wear.
If you have a crossbite, talk to your orthodontist in Sandy right away. Otherwise, a crossbite can lead to other problems in the future.
Usually, braces can align your teeth, fixing your crossbite. If you have a more severe case, however, your orthodontist might need to realign your jaw.
There’s a chance you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which can cause jaw pain. You might need to search “TMJ treatment near me” before you start grinding your teeth. Otherwise, bruxism can lead to other dental issues.
6. An Open Bite
Most patients develop an open bite due to genetics. However, children who overused pacifiers or sucked their thumbs can develop an open bite.
If you have an open bite, your top and bottom teeth won’t touch. You could have a significant gap, too. An open bite can cause speech and chewing problems.
7. Painful Chewing
Some dental care issues aren’t visible. For example, you might struggle to chew. Maybe chewing causes pain.
You might start biting your cheeks or tongue unintentionally, too.
If you have pain in your jaw and mouth, consider visiting your Sandy orthodontist. They can check for crooked or misaligned teeth.
Their diagnosis can help you find the best solution, such as braces treatment.
8. Speech Issues
Oral health issues can impact your ability to speak as well. For example, you might struggle to say certain words or sounds.
Speech problems can become frustrating and embarrassing. Don’t let an orthodontic issue cause embarrassment. Instead, consider getting braces in Sandy right away.
You can improve the state of your teeth and fix your speech issues with ease.
Straighter Smiles: 8 Signs to Visit Your Sandy Orthodontist for Braces
If these signs you need braces sound familiar, don’t wait to seek help. Instead, schedule an appointment with your Sandy orthodontist. Visiting your UT family orthodontics practice can help.
You can restore your smile and renew your confidence with orthodontic treatment.
Eager to explore your treatment options? We can’t wait to see you.
Schedule an appointment at our Sandy, UT office today to get started.