Do I need Braces? (MEGA QUIZ)

October 1, 2018

Do I need braces? Keeping up with dental health is incredibly important. You might prioritize it for yourself and the kids. However, there’s more to dental work than just checkups and cleaning the teeth. Orthodontic treatments, such as braces, may be necessary. If you’re unsure about your need for brackets and wires, take this short quiz. You’ll know right away if a trip to the orthodontist is warranted.

Do I Need Braces?…

Are Baby Teeth Hanging Around?

Everyone becomes so excited when the baby teeth start to fall out. However, some of these teeth like to hang around longer than they should. They remain in place with some of the roots remaining intact. In most cases, orthodontic treatment is necessary so that the emerging teeth are straight. Furthermore, as the adult teeth develop in the gums, the stubborn baby teeth could be hindering their progress. The adult teeth can erupt at an angle, which must be ultimately altered for an attractive smile. Your orthodontist can help manage the proper loss of baby teeth and subsequent eruption of the permanent teeth to minimize the negtive effects from baby teeth “gone wild.”

Do You Have Impacted Teeth?

Impacted teeth are adult teeth that haven’t erupted properly, and probably won’t. They might be visible along the gum line, but they simply won’t drop into place. The space left open by the impacted teeth creates alignment problems.

Surrounding teeth need every tooth to fall into place. The additional space encourages crooked and gapped teeth. A surgical procedure may be necessary to bring the tooth down into place. It can then be treated with braces or possibly clear aligners like Invisalign. Your orthodontist makes the final call on the proper device.

Do the Teeth Meet in a Symmetrical Fashion?

You may not need a quiz to tell you if orthodontia work is necessary. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Ask your children to do the same thing. The spaces between the teeth, especially at the front, should line up when you compare the upper to lower jaws. If the lines are off, there’s likely a symmetry problem.

Your teeth are designed to bite down so that the upper and lower teeth can mash together. When they don’t touch, your dental health will be problematic throughout the years.

Do You Have a Bite Issue?

Many people have issues with their bites. The most common bite problems include:

Crossbites
Underbites
Overbites

To simplify your self-evaluation, take a look at your profile in the mirror. The lower jaw should be relatively in line with your upper jaw and nose. Lower jaws that just outward are called underbites. Overbites appear when the upper jaw overshadows the lower section. Knowing if you have a crossbite is a bit more difficult. An orthodontic professional usually makes this determination.

Is Chewing an Issue?

Orthodontic work is necessary if chewing feels abnormal. As you chew with an aligned jaw, the teeth mash against each other with a comfortable action. As a result, people with misaligned jaws might bite down on the gum or tongue. In reality, you shouldn’t have to think too much as you chew. When you have these chewing concerns, orthodontic treatment is generally the solution to fix your bite. With the help of brackets, wires and rubber bands, the devices train the jaw and teeth to correct the alignment.

Did Most Family Members Wear Braces in the Past?

Take a look at family photos from past. Ask around at family gatherings. If you have any family members who’ve worn orthodontic devices in the past, the odds are good that you’ll need them as well. Many dental features are genetic. Tooth size, alignment and jaw size are mostly determined by your family’s gene pool. Bite types also follow genetic lines. Discuss your dental alignment problems with an orthodontic professional. He or she will be able to tell if devices are necessary now or later.

Do You Have Cavities?

Another answer to the question ‘do I need braces?’ is to ask about your oral health and whether there are frequent cavities. If you or a loved one brush and floss as regular habits, cavities shouldn’t be too prevalent. Your tooth alignment, however, can make brushing and flossing very difficult. If your alignment issues make cleaning the teeth difficult, cavities can form where food and plaque remain in place. They eat away at the tooth enamel over time. Therefore, with orthodontic devices, the teeth can be set into perfect alignment. Sugars cannot adhere to tight spaces between crooked teeth. Fewer cavities are the result. This fact is true for the rest of the person’s life.

Is Biting the Cheek a Regular Occurrence?

Everyone bites their tongue or cheek at times. However, it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. Biting the cheek, in particular, is a sign that an alignment issue is at hand. An orthodontic professional takes a look at the bite as it settles on the cheek tissue. There may be a crossbite in play along with crooked teeth. Properly aligned teeth do not hinder the oral cavity in any way. By aligning the teeth, the cheek shouldn’t be a target anymore. It can heal.

Do You Have Speech Problems?

The teeth, tongue and palate are instrumental players in your ability to speak. Speech isn’t only about the vocal cords and lips. Thus, if you have a speech impediment, crooked teeth can be contributing to the problem. There may be a meeting between the orthodontic professional, general practitioner, and even speech pathologist. Solving a speech impediment issue can be possible when the experts agree on a combined treatment program. Aligning the teeth while participating in speech therapy can lessen the ailment’s severity.

Do You Feel Like Hiding Your Teeth?

There’s also a psychological reason why orthodontic devices may be necessary. If you feel like you want to hide your smile, straightening the teeth might change that reaction. Feeling self-conscious about your smile shouldn’t be the norm. You might see this reaction in your children too. Kids who smile with their lips are hiding teeth that they don’t like. Change that confidence level by working with an orthodontist. In conclusion, self-esteem is an important part of life to help you stop asking ‘do I need braces?’

Contact an Expert For Answers…

If you need more answers to these questions, or feel you may need orthodontic treatment, contact Drs. Nease & Higginbotham today at 864-579-7700. Accordingly, you can learn all about the various options, including Invisalign, in the Spartanburg, SC, area. Whether you’re an adult or child, orthodontic treatment benefits everyone on multiple levels. Be proud of your smile with a personalized plan that works for you. Do I need braces? Find out today!