Metal braces have been around for decades as a trusted way to align smiles. A misaligned smile has more downfalls associated with it other than cosmetics.
Having a crooked smile makes it more difficult to get dental work done and to brush and floss your teeth. When your smile is is out of alignment, you’re at a greater risk for a joint disorder known as TMJ. This occurs when your bite is not aligned correctly and your jaw joint has to compensate for it, causing painful headaches or popping and clicking of your jaw when you talk or chew.
Signs Your Child Will Need Braces
Braces can be worn at any time, but most often, patients wear braces between ages 8-14. The following are the most likely indicators that braces will be recommended for your child:
- A tendency to bite the cheek or roof of the mouth.
- Jaws that shift or make sounds.
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face.
- Teeth that don’t touch correctly or have large gaps that prevent them from meeting at all.
- Thumb or finger sucking.
- Mouth breathing.
- Baby teeth that fall out early, late, or irregularly. Most children lose their baby teeth between the ages of 4 and 7.
- Crowding or misplaced teeth.
- Difficulty chewing or biting.
In order to know if your child will need braces, schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.
Aligning Your Bite as an Adult
There is no age limit on straightening out your smile. There are other options available besides braces to straighten your teeth! Invisalign is a popular option, many adults like the fact that Invisalign trays are invisible and removable.
During Invisalign treatment, you will wear a clear tray on your teeth for the entire day, removing them only to eat or brush your teeth. Self-discipline is important during this treatment, so it isn’t typically recommended for children. But, mature teenagers have been successfully treated with Invisalign.