Tell-Tale Signs it’s Time to Visit a New Jersey Orthodontist
Our mouths and teeth are probably one of our most prized features. Not only do they help us chew our food, they also allow us to look gorgeous in photographs. It’s therefore important that we look after our dental health.
Unfortunately, making sure that we regularly brush our teeth with a good quality toothpaste and floss every night, isn’t always enough to ensure that we end up with a sparkling smile. Unforeseen accidents or medical ailments can hit our mouths at any time, and then we have to call in the professionals.
If you’re living in the state of New Jersey and are noticing some dental issues, it might be time to see an orthodontist. If you aren’t sure whether you should make an appointment to visit your nearest New Jersey orthodontist, we’ve made a concrete list of signs that shows it’s time.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORTHODONTIST AND A DENTIST?
Before you can pinpoint whether you should make an appointment or not, you first have to understand the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist.
Both practitioners specialize in oral health. This includes any issues with gums, jaws, and teeth. Both practitioners are considered doctors that deal with gums and teeth. The most important difference is that most orthodontists are also dentists, but not the other way around.
Dentists aren’t all licensed orthodontists. In order to become an orthodontist, a dentist has to complete an orthodontic residency and then obtain a special license in order for them to act and practice as one.
Practitioners with this special license will specialize in extra dental care. This will include the re-alignment of teeth as a result of misaligned teeth, an overbite or underbite, crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and clustered teeth. In more common terms: A dentist deals with the health of the teeth while an orthodontist deals with the aesthetic appeal.
TELL-TALE SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Age Appropriate
There isn’t a specific time in your life that you should go for treatment. Al though it is advised that children should go for an assessment before the age of 7. This will give the practitioner time to assess any aesthetic problems that might worsen throughout the years.
Getting braces is an option, but the doctor will know when the best time will be to start treatment.
This doesn’t mean that adults can’t fix crooked teeth. No matter your age, you can make that appointment if you want your teeth to look more aesthetically pleasing.
Learn more about kids’ dental health here: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/orthodontist.html
Thumb Sucking
It’s natural for children to suck on their thumbs when they are little. It’s a comforting action that can persist up to or past the age of 5. If you, or your child, are prone to thumb sucking, then it can have negative effect on the alignment of your front bite.
There are a few techniques that practitioners apply to gently and gradually stop thumb sucking, and therefore avoiding the cause of an open bite. Children who do pursue thumb sucking until a very late stage will need more extensive treatment in the future.
When You Have an Overbite or Underbite
This might not be such a huge problem when eating or chatting. But an overbite or underbite can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and in severe cases the loss of a tooth.
With severe overbites and underbites, the individual might experience difficulty when chewing. In these cases, it’s important that you consult an orthodontist to weigh your options.
Crooked Teeth
We all deserve a gorgeous smile. When you aren’t happy with your smile’s appearance then calling your New Jersey orthodontist will help you solve the problem.
The doctor will be able to realign any crooked molars and incisors to give you a smile to be proud of.
Overcrowded or Gaps
Through the years our teeth can take on many different forms. They can either become completely clustered together, or they can create big gaps. This can cause a variety of dental issues when it’s not fixed.
After an Accident
You might have had an unfortunate accident where your teeth have been chipped or damaged. When you visit an orthodontist, you will be able to consider a variety of options on how you can fix it.
Click here to check out some amazing before and after photos.
CAN I GO WHEN I’M AN ADULT?
There is no age limit for wanting to correct your smile. Whether you’re 20 or 80 years of age, if you’re unsatisfied with your teeth then you should visit a practitioner.
One of the most common misconceptions adults have with fixing their smiles, is that they are going to have to wear metal braces. Metal braces are associated with children.
Those days are gone. As more and more adults are taking measures to turn their frowns upside down. Technicians have designed a variety of different techniques that are much more appealing than metal braces.
Throughout the years dental reconstruction has changed and improved drastically. Making sure that everyone has a chance to achieve a gorgeous smile.
A variety of clear aligners, ceramic braces, and lingual braces aren’t as noticeable as metal braces. While achieving the same results as metal braces, they look much more appealing. Catering to the needs of adults in professional environments.
Not everyone is born with perfectly aligned molars, canines, and incisors. With the help of an orthodontic practitioner, you will be able to achieve a gorgeous smile that you are proud to show off.
By visiting your New Jersey orthodontist, you will receive the best advice in dental health and dental beauty. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a smile that you can be proud of. One that can be showed off to the world.
Hiding a smile behind a closed mouth, is no one’s idea of enjoying life. That’s why, orthodontists have dedicated their lives to molding and shaping perfect sets of teeth. What are you waiting for? Make that appointment now.