5 Signs You Need to See an Orthodontist

When it comes to dental health, people can be quite nonchalant. A lot of us are of the opinion that the only care we can give to the teeth is brushing regularly. This is very good and but not entirely true; the teeth, in order to be in the right condition, needs some more care and attention. The teeth play an important role in the digestion of food, sound of speech and the physical appearance of the human face.

Parts of the teeth include Enamel (the hardest, white outer part that is visible to the eye), Dentine, Pulp (the softer inner living structure containing blood vessels), Cementum, and Periodontal ligament (holds the tissue against the jaw).

These components of the teeth show that they are living and they have parts that help them stay in place and in the right alignment. Therefore, just like most parts of the human body, something can go wrong in their health and appearance.

Many times, our first point of call when the teeth become painful or when we notice any abnormality is the office of the dentist. The dentist can provide solutions to a wide range of teeth ‘sickness’; however, the orthodontists are specialist in providing solutions that a dentist may not be able to provide.

Orthodontists are dentists, too, but they have received more training in teeth straightening, teeth alignment, overbite and under-bite correction, jaw problem correction, and the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Now, what are the signs you need to see an orthodontist?

  • If you are having difficulty chewing your food, you may need to visit an orthodontist. Food chewing should be one of the easiest things to do, it is the first part of digestion, so if you find it difficult to do, visit an orthodontist.

  • If your teeth are crooked, you need to visit an orthodontist. The major work of an orthodontist. is helping to correct crooked teeth. Crooked teeth can lead to low self-esteem as it makes you try as much as possible not to make your teeth visible to people. This means having crooked teeth makes you want to laugh or smile less or not even laugh or smile at all. It can also make you want to keep quiet anytime you have something to say. If you want a beautiful smile and an increased self-esteem, consult an orthodontist.

  • Teeth brushing is a very, very important care for the teeth and it helps prevent tooth decay. However, if your teeth are not straight, it becomes impossible to perfectly clean your teeth when you brush them and this leads to tooth decay. This can be corrected by an orthodontist.

  • If you suffer from headaches or jaw pain, or if you hear a sound when you move your jaw, you need to visit an orthodontist.

  • Do you have gaps in your teeth? Having gaps in your teeth can make your smile look weird, this can be fixed by an orthodontist.