Orthodontic issues must be addressed properly as they can negatively your oral health. You must identify early symptoms of these problems, especially in kids, and consult with an orthodontist to determine if any action must be taken right away or in the future. Whether you have crooked teeth or uncomfortable bite, braces are a common solution to this problem. Below are some signs you may need braces:

You Have Crowded Teeth

Overcrowded teeth pose a cosmetic issue and real health threats to you. The reason is that food is more easily trapped in these teeth and more difficult to remove with regular teeth-cleaning methods. Food that is trapped will result in tooth decay, periodontal disease, gingivitis, and bad breath. In fact, it can have negative effects on your self-esteem. Go to this website to learn more.

Your Teeth Have Gaps

Usually, you can have gaps between your teeth if your lower and upper jaw don’t fit together properly. This condition can be caused by genetics, mouth tissue formation, and thumb-sucking. These gaps must be closed to improve your smiles’ appearance and fix your jaw issue. Also, these gaps will leave the gum tissue between the teeth exposed, making them more prone to infection and plaque. Braces can close these gaps.

You Have Bite Problems

Bite refers to the way your upper teeth and lower teeth meet and interact when you close your mouth.  While many people have an incorrect bite, you should not ignore this problem. An improper bite can lead to irregular wear of your teeth, jaw problems, and chronic headaches. Also, bite issues can impede proper speech development. Orthodontic treatment like braces can correct your bite and improve the function of your smile.

You Feel Pain in the Jaw

Usually, jaw pain and headaches result from a misaligned bite. If the jaws do not fit together properly, it can easily slip out of place, which causes tension while sleeping. You may also experience jaw pain if you have temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ. The joint connects your jawbone to the skull. When you consult with an orthodontist, your teeth and jaw alignment will be assessed to determine if the jaw pain resulted from poor alignment. Also, the dentist will determine if you need braces.

You Have Chewing or Speaking Issues

Serious causes of jaw misalignment can impact how you chew, speak, and swallow. You may need braces when you tend to bite your cheek or the roof of your mouth when chewing. These orthodontic treatments may also be the best solution if your teeth collide when you chew which sends a jarring sensation through your jaw or face. If you have slurred speech or have problems saying some words, you may also need braces.

Teeth can become crooked or the jaw can be aligned incorrectly because of some reasons including genetics. Bite or space issues can be inherited. Other problems can develop over time because of thumb- or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental decay, poor nutrition, and injuries. But, whatever the cause of your dental issue, orthodontists can correct your teeth or bite problems as well as restore your smile’s proper function.