If you’re reading this, you’re either considering braces or have been told by an orthodontist that you need them. So who are the people that are considered viable candidates for braces, and what could happen if you choose not to straighten your teeth?

If you’re considering braces or think you need them, come and have a chat with our dentist in Banbury at our prestigious dental clinic, Amsel & Wilkins.

Is it ever too late to get braces?

Orthodontists recommend that children aged seven should have their teeth checked by an orthodontist. Some might argue that seven is too young an age for acquiring a straightening aid. However, these consultations are merely pre-screenings to assess the teeth and recommend preventative measures to keep severe dental problems that require braces at bay.

Being an adult who is well over the age of seven doesn’t mean you’re too old for braces. Straighter teeth are possible at any age. If you suspect your teeth need re-aligning, come to our dentist in Banbury for a consultation. During this time, we will assess your teeth and facial structure, and take diagnostic records of your teeth if necessary.

What are the principal reasons people need braces?

Occlusion refers to the position of your upper and lower jaw when you bring them together. Ideally, your teeth should fit together perfectly, without any pearly whites protruding or appearing overcrowded.

A deviation occurs when the above doesn’t happen, resulting in malocclusions. The three types of malocclusions that braces treat include the following:

With a class one malocclusion, the relationship with your upper and lower jaw is in perfect alignment. However, there is overcrowding present. Overcrowding is an issue in and of itself. It’s typically caused when there are too many teeth for a dental arch that is too small. Having overcrowded teeth is problematic because it’s difficult to brush and floss your teeth properly.

A class two malocclusion is referred to as an overbite, which occurs when the lower jaw is underdeveloped. This results in your upper front teeth overlapping your lower front teeth.

A class three malocclusion or an underbite is the hardest to diagnose and treat, occurring when the lower jaw juts out. As a result, your lower front teeth overlap your upper front teeth.

Getting braces: it’s more than just straight teeth

Having a dazzling smile may be the main reason that you want to get braces. However the straightening device, as outlined by our dentist in Banbury, will tell you about its multiple perks for your health and wellbeing.

The malocclusion mentioned above can severely restrict your lifestyle, affecting how you bite and chew your food and may prevent you from eating certain foods entirely. On top of that, you could see your oral health deteriorating as brushing and flossing your teeth effectively is challenging with misaligned teeth.

Not being able to brush your teeth properly can result in gum disease and tooth decay, which is why it is important to consider getting braces if you think you need them. Other restrictions that are caused by malocclusions include speech impediments, jaw pain and sleep apnea.

It’s important to remember that teeth straightening is more than a cosmetic treatment, but could very well improve your physical health as well.