You might be wondering why you now hear stories on the grapevine about adults in their thirties and forties – maybe even in their fifties – getting their teeth straightened these days. That used to be what happened to teenagers, so they could start adulthood with a good-looking set of teeth.
However, we at your Dentist Epping will tell you that there is more to adolescent teeth-straightening than a rite of passage. The same reasons that make teeth-straightening good for teenagers may apply to you too.
Having crooked teeth makes it harder to brush your teeth and floss between them – and harder to keep your gums clean too. With misaligned teeth, the clenching and grinding of your molars to chew your food causes heavier wear and tear on your teeth. A poor bite results from crooked teeth, which risks stressing your TMJ (temporomandibular joint, i.e., jaw joint) and causing headache and pain.
If you can see that your teeth are misaligned in your bathroom mirror and are aware of any of these problems, it is best to talk with us at your Dentist Epping. We can fully assess your situation to see if it can be dealt with by other means or whether teeth straightening is best.
Braces are used for repositioning the teeth gradually over months, but nowadays you will have a choice of more than noticeable metal braces worn on tooth fronts. Some braces are attached to the tooth backs, and Invisalign is just about invisible.
If you decide to have your teeth straightened, we will discuss with you whether we can do it here or recommend an orthodontist. In either case, you will need to visit us more regularly for check-ups throughout the process.
With the extra bracing material in your mouth, you will need to spend more time brushing and flossing each day, but that aside, your life can carry on as usual.
At the end of the process, your teeth and bite will be better aligned. The teeth themselves and the spaces between them will be easier to brush and floss effectively. Your gums will be at less risk of damage. Your molars should experience less wear and tear. Your TMJ should be pain-free, and you should have fewer headaches. All in all, your oral health should improve long term.
It makes sense to address these issues for people once they have their permanent teeth in their early teens, as it sets up their mouth and jaw for life. But, if you have misaligned teeth, you may well consider it is worth doing that too for the remaining half or so of your life.
The first step for either yourself or an adolescent child is to talk with us at your Dentist Epping. You can only make an appropriate decision based on thorough, professional dental advice.
To find out more, please click the link for an appointment for a consultation: http://bit.ly/RawsonDental-Epping
