Do you have a tooth or jaw misalignment? Braces are primarily used to align teeth or jaws in their correct position. Brace installation is costly, painstaking, and uncomfortable. However, braces carry not only numerous cosmetic benefits but also oral health benefits. Therefore, if you or your child requires braces, note it is worth the cost. Frequently, orthodontists recommend braces to children and teenagers. Nonetheless, adults are not getting left out. According to statistics, 20 percent of adults wear braces. Suppose you know of someone who might need braces, it would be best if you let them know as soon as possible. As a result, orthodontists can resolve their problems at an early age. In this article, we will discuss the pointers for showing an individual needs brace installation.
Why do you need braces?
Over the years, adult braces have been on the rise and mostly result in positive outcomes. In 1998, a survey conducted showed that 65 percent of adults have misaligned teeth. Therefore, the majority of people require braces. Below are the signs that could help you know if you them.
- Overcrowded and contorted teeth that are noticeable.
- You are struggling to floss and brush in between your tooth spaces.
- If you notice that you bite your tongue more than usual.
- You are not able to close your mouth when silent.
- It is challenging to speak out certain words due to your tongue position.
- You encounter discomfort or exhaustion on your jawline after chewing food.
- The jaws click while chewing food and upon waking up.
How to tell if your child needs braces?
Infants and small children are not able to express themselves completely. Therefore, in most cases, it might be hard to tell if your child requires braces. But if you notice your child has crooked or overcrowded teeth, this is an indication that your little one could need braces in the future. Besides that, other indicators include:
Other signs include:
- Your child is experiencing difficulty in breathing through the nose.
- Jaws that click when chewing.
- The child is vulnerable to tongue biting and cheek biting inside the mouth.
- Continually sucks their thumb and use of a pacifier for a more extended period.
- He or she is losing milk teeth at an earlier or later age.
- Overcrowded or irregular shaped teeth.
One of the reasons why your little one will need braces is observing poor oral hygiene practices. Additionally, a poor diet that contains sugary foods is also a possible cause for oral problems solved by braces.
When to see a dentist
All children below seven years require a dental check-up. Consequently, dental experts can deal with oral problems among children. In turn, this will improve the oral health of many. Children who are not suffering from any dental health problems also benefit from this check-up.
The most suitable age for an individual to wear braces is from nine to fourteen years. Although this age may vary from one person to another, the earlier orthodontists prescribe treatment, the better.
At times, brace installation in children becomes impossible due to several reasons. It could be due to small expenses and a lack of proper diagnosis. Consequently, most people postpone their orthodontic treatment to their mature years.
The good thing is that even at an old age, it is safe to wear braces. Even so, it is not a good habit to keep postponing treatment.
Once you feel you need braces installed, look for a reliable dental health professional, and book an appointment.
However, keep in mind that the jaw continuously grows with age. Consequently, this could lead to overcrowding of your teeth. Therefore, it is essential to consult an orthodontist sooner to prevent the situation from becoming worse. The earlier you get your braces installed, the better.
Are there alternatives to braces?
The most popular types of braces include ceramic braces, invisible braces, and metal braces. All these are effective for proper teeth alignment. A substitute for braces is a tooth alignment surgery. Most times, the operation is a minor process. But orthodontists authorize a major surgical procedure if your problem is more complicated.
Conclusion
As seen in this article, overcrowded and irregular shaped teeth are the significant indicators that show a child will need braces. Thus, you need not wait for all the child’s teeth to come out to seek orthodontic treatment. It is advisable to consult a dental health expert when the child is still young to fix the problem.
Braces are expensive. However, they offer value for money and improve your oral health as well. It is thus vital to speak to an orthodontist first before undergoing the procedure.
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