About 4.5 million people wear braces, most of them teens and children. But many adults are also choosing braces.
Why?
Because they’re tired of crooked teeth! But crooked teeth are more than a cosmetic issue. Read on for information about why and how to fix crooked teeth.
Table of Contents
Why Straighten Your Crooked Teeth?
Many people don’t mind the look of crooked teeth, while others think only straight teeth are aesthetically pleasing. But crooked teeth present more than a cosmetic debate. There are other issues that come with misaligned teeth.
Chewing Issues
Crooked teeth often cause issues with chewing. Misaligned upper teeth don’t meet up with the lower teeth the right way. This makes chewing more difficult.
When food isn’t chewed well, it sometimes causes problems with digestion.
Are your teeth misaligned? Do you suffer from frequent stomachaches? Crooked teeth could be the problem.
Periodontal Disease and Cavities
It’s harder brushing and flossing all surfaces when your teeth are crooked. This leads to gum disease and cavities.
Speech Difficulties
Misalignment of the teeth sometimes leads to speech impediments and difficulty articulating.
Wear and Tear
Headaches, temporomandibular joint disorder, and jaw strain are a few of the disorders sometimes caused by crooked teeth.
What Are the Options for Straightening Crooked Teeth?
The first thing you should do is visit an orthodontist. That’s a dentist who specializes in the treatment of crooked teeth. These are some of the options the orthodontist may offer.
Traditional Metal Braces
These are small metal brackets attached to the teeth. Wires run between the brackets. The orthodontist adjusts the wires which pull the teeth into alignment.
Metal braces are a good choice for people with complicated alignment issues.
Invisible Braces
They’re not completely invisible but almost! These are clear plastic aligners such as Invisalign. You’ll need an orthodontist who is an Invisalign provider.
The orthodontist custom makes the aligners for your mouth. You can remove the aligners when you eat or brush your teeth. They take longer than regular braces and aren’t recommended for complex alignment issues.
Ceramic Braces
These clear-colored braces aren’t as obvious as metal braces but they function much the same way. They do break and stain more easily than their metal counterparts.
Visiting the Orthodontist
Straightening your crooked teeth is a good idea, no matter your reasons. It may seem like misaligned teeth are only a cosmetic issue but there are other considerations. You shouldn’t ignore poor self-esteem from crooked teeth either.
If you suffer from frequent indigestion and stomaches, your crooked teeth may be to blame! Do you get more than your fair share of cavities? Misaligned teeth are often the culprit.
From speech difficulties to wear and tear, you’re better off with straight teeth. Check with your dental insurance about help with the cost. If you don’t have insurance, check with your orthodontist for financing options.
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