What a dentist does is probably something you’re already familiar with. But what about an orthodontist? An orthodontist performs more specialized work on your teeth than a dentist does. They use dental procedures to straighten misaligned teeth and help prevent future tooth issues from occurring.
Your confidence and self-esteem may be greatly affected by problems with the alignment of your teeth and jaw. However, correcting these issues may not only make a difference in those aspects but also resolve difficulties you may have with biting and chewing. While it may seem convenient to try to fix these problems on your own, DIY orthodontics can create more issues than solutions.
Therefore, if you don’t want to run the risk of developing major dental issues, visiting an orthodontist is a must. Other than what was mentioned, below are some of the other reasons you should consult an orthodontist immediately.
1. Your Mouth, Teeth Or Gums Are Painful Or Sore
Sometimes, it’s normal to experience pain in the mouth, teeth, or gums. When it’s not a serious problem, that pain will eventually subside. However, if the pain or soreness persists for a few days, you should see an orthodontist since they can help identify the root cause of your discomfort.
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Once identified, proper orthodontic treatment will be provided. Moreover, the orthodontist can assist with treatment alternatives when you experience pain as a result of autoimmune disorders.
2. Your Teeth Are Crooked
Crooked teeth in adults can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as:
- Genetics: No matter how well you take care of your teeth, heredity may be to blame for issues including crooked teeth, a small jaw, and teeth that are out of alignment.
- Childhood Behaviors: If you used to suck your thumb a lot as a child, this reflexive habit can result in crooked teeth.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: This can cause the most serious gum diseases that make your teeth fall out, shift, or loosen.
In any of these cases, an orthodontist can help to correct these problems. A good orthodontist can offer the best solution, depending on factors like the patient’s age and the complexity of the alignment issue.
3. You Want To Take A Preventive Approach
Visits to orthodontists on a regular basis ensure prompt treatment to lower the need for additional procedures later on. For instance, taking care of teeth crowding concerns early may help to avoid future tooth extractions.
You should take care of your teeth to maintain good oral health, especially if you are in business or have a career that demands customer interaction. A trip to the orthodontist is required to avoid dealing with issues that might suddenly have an impact on your confidence and employment. Keep in mind that the ability to speak clearly or articulately may be hampered by tooth loss or crooked teeth.
4. You Can Solve Bite-Related Issues
As emphasized earlier in this article, orthodontists don’t just work on alignment problems for cosmetic purposes. But they can also go as far as fixing biting and chewing problems that may have started in childhood and persisted until adulthood. These may make doing simple tasks like chewing food challenging.
An orthodontist should be able to give reliable information and insights to help recognize bite problems. That way, they can be addressed before they worsen and become more serious.
5. You Need Surgery
While rare, there may be instances when corrective jaw surgery is needed. This applies when a patient suffers from severe overbite or underbite.
Once the patient has reached adulthood, an orthodontist will recommend jaw surgery. Having this procedure can provide benefits, such as:
- Separation of teeth that are too close together;
- Fixed biting, chewing, and eating issues;
- Pain relief from conditions like temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).
6. Your Teeth Are Too Crowded
Overcrowding is another common dental problem that necessitates a visit to an orthodontist. This is indicated by the overlapping of the teeth. In some cases, people with this condition may find it difficult to brush and floss, and food frequently gets caught between their teeth when they’re eating.
Unfortunately, if you have crowded teeth, cleaning them will not be easy. It may result in cavities and gum disease, which could lead to tooth loss. But once an orthodontist resolves this problem, you’ll no longer be concerned about losing teeth and having difficulty eating.
The Bottomline
Depending on a person’s condition, the reasons for visiting an orthodontist may vary. But it’s important to keep in mind that DIY treatments for any tooth problems should never be an option as this can lead to more serious issues. In addition, a trip to the dentist may still be necessary to know whether you require an orthodontist for your dental concerns. As you do this, remember to be very selective about which orthodontist you work with. Don’t settle for anything that will jeopardize your dental health if you want the results to be worthwhile.
