According to the American Association of Orthodontists, over 4 million people in the United States currently are wearing braces. While straightening teeth is one major reason to seek orthodontic care, orthodontics covers more than just braces. In fact, here are four of the biggest reasons to plan a visit to your local orthodontist.
Four Reasons to Visit Your Orthodontist
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- Preventing Future Dental Problems – Common issues such as crowding, gapped teeth, and protruding teeth can all aid in the development of gum disease and tooth decay. Orthodontists are able to treat these problems so that you can maintain a better standard of oral health.
- Boosting Self-Esteem – A good sense of self-esteem is important for many of us. If we feel poorly about our smiles, we’re more likely to spend time worrying and hiding our mouths than enjoying the moment. By addressing current dental problems that can create unattractive smiles, an orthodontist can help give you self-esteem and make you feel proud to display those pearly whites.
- Giving You the Smile You’ve Always Wanted – If you missed out on braces when you were younger, there’s nothing stopping you from getting a straight smile now. With the invention of invisible aligners such as Invisalign, more and more adults are heading to their orthodontists to receive this treatment. With clear aligners like this, adults don’t have to worry about clunky metal in their mouths or feeling self-conscious during treatment. You can continue living your life while your teeth are gradually straightened.
- Helping Children Achieve Life-Long Healthy Smiles- It’s recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists that all children see an orthodontist by age seven. This might seem young, however, this is the perfect age to identify potential issues that could become problematic in the future if left uncorrected. If children are in need of treatment, starting early allows them to spend less time in treatment and prevents them from having to undergo more extreme or invasive measures in the future. Additionally, early intervention can help set kids up for success and give them healthy attractive smiles that will last a lifetime.
Orthodontists aren’t just there to give you straight teeth. While this is a big reason to visit them, fixing problems like overcrowding, gapping, overbites, and underbites can benefit oral health and prevent tooth decay plus gum disease. If you’re tired of hiding your smile, or if oral problems have been giving you trouble, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation today to see just what your orthodontist can do for you.
