Dentists perform a lot of procedures to help maintain the health of your teeth and gums. However, if you have different kind of problem such as misaligned smile or crooked teeth, a visit to an orthodontist is what you’ll need. They are the experts when it comes to correcting teeth irregularities. Braces and retainers are usually the solution for these problems but on rare, severe cases a surgery might be requested.
Why Do We Need Braces and Retainers?
Braces and retainers are used to fix a variety of teeth irregularities such as malocclusion, crooked teeth, overcrowded or overlapping teeth and a lot more. These problems can be identified after a series of tests such as mouth and head X-ray, digital teeth scan, and other procedures. Teeth irregularities can be easily spotted when all of the patient’s teeth are already permanent, making this procedure common in orthodontics for teenagers. However, there is no set age for a first orthodontic visit. Some may need to go when they are still a child, during their teens or even when they are already adults. As long as you have teeth irregularities, a trip to the orthodontist is the best solution you can get.
Different Types of Braces
Braces are the commonly used tool to correct problems such as crooked teeth. It exerts steady pressure on the teeth, making them move into a straighter and proper position. There are different types of braces, depending on its purpose.
Regular braces with brackets, wires and rubber bands are the most commonly used among children. It is worn for a certain period and the wires are slowly tightened from time to time to make the teeth align more properly. Another type of brace called aligners is a bit different from regular braces. Instead of wired and brackets, it corrects teeth with the use of plastic trays. However, this type is not suited for everyone. For severe problems, an orthodontist may recommend the use of a headgear that provides stronger force to align the teeth. The headgear is only worn at night so there’s no need to worry about the hassle of wearing it.
The duration of wearing braces depends on how severe the problem being addressed is. Some may only need braces for a few months while others may take years to correct the problem. You will need to visit your orthodontist regularly once you have a brace for monitoring and adjustment.
Care and Maintenance for Braces
Food debris easily get stuck in braces especially the wired ones that’s why regular cleaning, brushing and flossing is essential to keep your teeth healthy and your braces clean. It is also recommended that you avoid sugary dinks and foods when you’re wearing braces because it increases your risk for tooth decay.
Wearing braces for a certain time is definitely worth it if you’re aiming for that perfectly beautiful smile. Don’t hesitate to visit an orthodontist when you notice problems and irregularities in your child’s teeth to correct it while it’s still early.
