11 Signs (Braces May Be Needed?)

It matters not your age. You still may need orthodontic treatment. Read below for the lowdown on what to look out for in regards to braces on any human of any age and find out if braces may be needed.

Children

As a child grows older, it is possible braces may be needed. This situation can occur prior to a child reaching adolescence. With regular dental visits, it can be determined if a child’s teeth are coming in correctly. If there is malocclusion or teeth are in misalignment, other problems will probably develop later in life. Children and adults can both be recommended to see an orthodontist who will know how to put their teeth into correct alignment.

Adults

It is not uncommon for adults to need orthodontics. The reason is that some people were unable to have braces as a child. Some individuals get them when they are in their late 20’s, 30’s and older. It’s also possible for people to be told they didn’t need them as a child. Teeth will shift throughout a person’s life. There have been situations where a parent and their child both got orthodontics at the same time.

Crowding

When teeth are crowded together, it is a sign that orthodontics is necessary. This happens when there is not enough space on a person’s dental arches to accommodate all of their teeth. This can result in a person having teeth that are pointed in different directions. If this situation is not handled, it could cause serious dental problems.

Plaque can easily build up on the surface of teeth that are not able to be properly cleaned. This will increase the development of cavities. It can result in food not being properly chewed, cause accidental cheek biting and more. When some children struggle to pronounce certain words, crowding of their teeth could be the cause.

Multiple Gaps

When there is excessive spacing between teeth, it may be a situation that requires orthodontics. It’s important for a person’s teeth to be in proper alignment. These gaps can occur from a person having their teeth grow in at an angle. It can also result from a person having a bad habit such as sucking their thumb as a child and more. Incorrect chewing can also lead to multiple gaps between a person’s teeth.

Overbite

It is common for individuals to need orthodontics to correct an overbite. Many cases are mild and may not require any action. It is also possible for people to have a serious overbite. In this situation, a person’s upper dental arches extend too far over their lower arches.

This condition could result in a person experiencing pain and suffering that can be avoided. It’s possible for a person’s lower lip to be constantly in contact with their upper teeth. The roof of a person’s mouth will also get regular pressure from the lower teeth.

Abnormal Loss Of Baby Teeth

Losing baby teeth too early or late can be a problem. It is important for parents to notice if their child has lost their baby teeth within the recommended amount of time. Abnormal loss of teeth can cause crowding, early tooth loss, extra teeth as well as missing teeth.

A child will lose their teeth within six years from the time it starts until it is finished. Some children lose their first tooth at the age of four and others after six years old. It is expected that baby teeth will come out in the same order teeth came into a child’s mouth.

Regular Jaw Pain

If a child or adult has pain in their jaw on a regular basis, it could be a sign that braces maybe needed. The pain often happens with they open their mouth. It’s possible the jaw may lock at a certain point, and a person won’t be able to open their jaw completely.

Someone experiencing this type of pain needs to have a careful examination. It could have a number of causes including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and more. There are orthodontic treatments available to eliminate jaw pain in most instances.

Sleeping Problems

When a person has poor oral health, it could result in them experiencing problems with sleeping. People will feel fatigued when they wake up in the morning and struggle to stay awake during their daily routine.

Sometimes this is caused by an airway disorder enhanced by problems with the jaw and teeth. Orthodontics are able to help many adults and children get proper airflow by repositioning their jaws. This may widen their airway and enable increased airflow to correct breathing issues.

Cosmetic Reasons

It is always best to get a child orthodontics when they’re young rather than wait until later in life. This can help a child avoid feeling insecure about their appearance. With adults, it can help them not worry about their image when they’re trying to get a new job or starting a career.

When a person has straight teeth, they will have a better smile and improved appearance. This can increase their self-confidence and improve their desire to be more socially active.

Cheek Biting

When children or adults regularly bite the inside of their mouth when eating or speaking, they may need to be examined by an orthodontist. When teeth are not aligned correctly, a person will have an uncomfortable bite. This can cause injury to the inside of their mouth.

The reason is their top teeth are not closing down onto the bottom teeth correctly. This condition could also be caused by overcrowding, gaps in teeth as well as an overbite or underbite. Orthodontics should be able to eliminate any problems with cheek biting.

Clear Aligner

People may be able to be treated with a clear aligner system like Invisalign. During this process, a person will have a mold of their teeth made. This is done to create an individualized aligner. It gradually moves a person’s teeth back into position. The average Invisalign treatment time last approximately 14 months.

Check if Braces Maybe Needed

When a child or adult has any situations where braces may be needed, they need to see an orthodontist. Gluck Orthodontics will be able to perform a thorough examination and provide an effective treatment plan. Take a look at their website and schedule an appointment with Dr. Gluck today.

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Gluck Orthodontics
Nashville Orthodontist
2002 Richard Jones Road
Suite A-200 Nashville
TN 37215
Phone: 615 269 5903

11 Signs (Braces May Be Needed?)

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.