What comes to your mind when someone tells you they’re investing in orthodontic treatment?
If you’re like many, you might think they simply want to straighten some crooked teeth to improve their smile.
And while this assumption isn’t necessarily wrong, it often isn’t the whole truth.
Orthodontic treatment in Carson can help people achieve a beautiful, straighter smile. However, most orthodontists aim to help their patients achieve a straighter smile to improve their oral health and dental functionality.
What Are the Benefits of a Straighter Smile Through Orthodontic Treatment in Carson?
An orthodontist’s primary goal is to improve the health of their patient. Moreover, correcting malocclusion can improve a patient’s comfort when chewing and speaking.
According to the American Association of Orthodontics, orthodontic treatment is a “complex biological process.” During orthodontic treatment, patients will experience changes in their:
- Teeth
- Soft tissues
- Facial Bones
- Jawbones
Can a Carson Orthodontist Help Prevent Jaw Pain?
Malocclusion can contribute to the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder, a condition of the jaw joints. When your bite is out of alignment, your jawbones and masticatory system are adversely impacted. Jaw and teeth misalignment puts pressure on your head and neck muscles. The tendons and ligaments are also strained. When this happens, you can experience:
- Chronic headaches
- Migraines
- Facial pain
- Jaw pain and tenderness
- Popping or clicking of the jaw joints
- Earaches (not related to infections)
- Difficulty chewing
- Difficulty speaking
- Lockjaw
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
Orthodontic treatment can treat various malocclusion issues that impact the jaw, including:
- Crossbite
- Overbite
- Overjet
- Underbite
- Open bite
Improvement in these areas can reduce or eliminate a patient’s pain, making everyday activities (like eating and speaking) more comfortable.
Can Braces or Invisalign in Carson Protect the Teeth?
Misalignment issues can also put a patient’s dentition at risk for decay. Crooked and crowded teeth are difficult to clean. Because of this, plaque can build up and eventually calcify (tartar).
Plaque and tartar are full of bacteria that produce acids that damage the teeth. The acid destroys the enamel, creating a hole in the tooth (dental decay or a cavity).
Decay that is not treated promptly can spread to the pulp chamber of the tooth. The pulp chamber houses the pulp (or nerve) of the tooth. Once decay reaches the pulp, an infection will develop, causing pain and the need for costly dental treatments, including:
- Root canal therapy
- A dental crown
- An extraction and an implant
- An extraction and a dental bridge
A straighter smile from a Carson orthodontist can make dental home care much easier and more effective at decay prevention.
Can a Straighter Smile Prevent Gum Disease?
Just as crooked, crowded teeth can contribute to decay, they can also be instrumental in the development of gum disease.
Your delicate gum tissue (gingiva) tries to withdraw from the irritating plaque and tartar. In the process, the gingiva recedes; eventually, so does the bone that supports the teeth.
The result of untreated gum disease is gum infections, loose teeth, and tooth loss.
Correcting a patient’s bite makes it easier to brush and floss thoroughly, thereby reducing the risk of this disease.
What Are the Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment in Carson?
Thankfully, patients can avoid many of these oral health conditions if they seek orthodontic treatment as soon as possible.
We recommend patients see an orthodontist by age seven, as does the American Association of Orthodontists. When we catch malocclusion issues early, they’re easier to treat. Young patients benefit from this because treatment is often more straightforward, and they can avoid developing TMJ disorder, gum disease, and dental decay.
Do Adults Benefit from Treatment Provided by a Carson Orthodontist?
That’s not to say that adults can’t benefit from orthodontic treatment. If patients already have dental diseases and disorders, they can often be reversed with braces or Invisalign. No patient is too old for orthodontic treatment.
When Should You Consult with a Carson Orthodontist?
If you notice any of the following signs, consider scheduling an appointment with an orthodontist in Carson.
Signs a Child Needs Orthodontic Treatment in Carson
- Early loss of baby teeth
- Primary teeth are coming in later than average (or not at all)
- Difficulty chewing
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Other oral habits
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Crowded teeth
- Crookded teeth
- Misplaced teeth
- Adult teeth are blocked from coming in
- The jaw makes sounds when the child speaks or chews
- The jaw is protruding or recessed
Signs an Adult Should See a Carson Orthodontist
- Speech difficulties
- Bottom teeth hit the roof of the mouth
- Chronic cheek biting
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth occlude abnormally
- Upper and lower teeth don’t come together at all
- Facial asymmetry
- Bruxism (clenching or grinding the teeth)
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Mouth breathing
- Inability to close lips either comfortably or completely
Can You Get Orthodontic Treatment in Carson “Simply” for Aesthetic Reasons?
Aesthetics aren’t your orthodontist’s main priority when they recommend treatment. That’s not to say, though, that it’s not an important consideration.
A straighter smile can make a person feel more attractive. It can help remove some of the insecurities many experience when they have overtly visible malocclusion issues.
A 2019 study found that patients who invested in orthodontic treatment experienced:
- More confidence
- Significant improvement in their self-esteem
- Improvement in social interactions
The results of this study make sense because our smile is the first thing people often see when they look at us. If you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth, you’re more likely to hide your teeth when you smile or forgo smiling altogether.
Getting a straighter smile with treatment from a Carson orthodontist can be a life-changing experience. When you feel happy and confident, people perceive you in a more positive light – and you perceive yourself that way, too!
Are You Ready for a Straighter, Healthier, More Beautiful Smile?
Your Carson orthodontist can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. But their number one priority is to help you achieve optimal oral health.
By investing in orthodontic treatment, you’re investing in your oral and general health. You’re also investing in your emotional well-being since a straighter smile can give you more confidence.
Contact our team to schedule a consultation if you’re ready for a beautiful, healthy, straight smile.
Call 424-391-8941 to schedule an appointment with your Orthodontics of Carson provider. Or use our online contact form. We look forward to helping you achieve a straighter smile!
