Dental braces are an orthodontic solution that has been used to fix teeth-related issues for decades, especially among teenagers. Increasingly embraced by older Australians, too, these days, they are not just about cultivating a picture-perfect smile but can help rectify a myriad of dental issues. Some of these problems can impact daily life and overall oral health significantly so braces are able to make a significant change following a successful treatment. What are the most common tooth-related issues to which orthodontic braces are most suited?
Misaligned Teeth
First and foremost, dental braces are one of the most popular solutions for addressing crooked or misaligned teeth today. Crooked teeth aren't just an aesthetic concern, either. They can lead to various dental problems. For example, food particles can become trapped in the nooks and crannies of teeth with gaps between them. In turn, this can lead to more plaque build-up and potential cavities than would be the case with properly aligned teeth. By realigning the teeth into their correct positions, braces assist with better oral hygiene regimes, thereby reducing the risk of complications, such as gum disease.
Overcrowded Teeth
Another common dental problem is overcrowding. In instances where the dental arch doesn't have sufficient space to accommodate all your teeth, you may find that they end up overlapping, twisting or pushing against one other. Overcrowded teeth not only impact the appearance but also make flossing more challenging. Braces are often recommended by dentists because they can redistribute your teeth across the full extent of the dental arch, creating even spacing.
Under and Overbites
When the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth when one bites down, it is known as an underbite. Conversely, an overbite is when the upper teeth overlap the lower ones. These fairly common problems with biting can lead to excessive tooth wear if left unaddressed. Indeed, they might impact the shape and structure of your face over time. Additionally, severe overbites can result in gum irritation and may even lead to a greater chance of chipping your lower teeth. Dental braces, often deployed alongside other orthodontic devices, can correct these issues by moving the teeth and jaw into a better alignment, ensuring a balanced and more harmonious bite.
Teeth Spacing
Dental braces can effectively address the issue of wide gaps or spaces between teeth, which dentists refer to as spacing. Such gaps can occur for many reasons, including simple genetic and specific habits like thumb-sucking. Besides the aesthetic concerns that large spaces between teeth lead to, they can also cause gum problems. Braces function by closing gaps, ensuring the teeth are uniformly spaced meaning that your gums will be properly shielded when you bite into things.
Contact a local dental professional to ask about braces.
Share23 August 2023
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
