Warning signs that you need braces

If you happen to be avoiding smiling because you are self-conscious of your teeth, it may be time to consider teeth braces. You might also want to consider them if you experience jaw or tooth pain when you bite on hard foodstuffs. There are many warning signs that you need braces, and you need to be capable of identifying them. That is why Consumer Opinion Guide has researched this topic at length and prepared this article for you. We will provide you with all you need to know about the signs that preclude the acquisition of teeth braces.

Notable warning signs that you need braces

Oral care is a complicated subject. The difficulty lies in the fact that every patient is unique and requires specific treatment. If you experience any of the following signs, it may be an indication that you require braces:

• Difficulty biting/Painful biting
• Excessive gaps/Inconsistent teeth
• Crowded/Crooked teeth
• Jaw pain/Jaw clicking
• Protruding teeth
• Thumb sucking

Even if you are not experiencing any of the above symptoms, but are uncomfortable with your teeth, you may want to visit your orthodontist and get a recommendation. Most of the time, you may not need braces but may need a specific dental procedure. But if you do have any of the symptoms, then you might want to consider looking into the best teeth alignment solutions in your near future. Let’s explore the symptoms a bit more, so you have a greater understanding of what they entail.

Difficulty biting/Painful biting

If you notice that it is difficult or painful to bite down your food or that you are continually biting the side of your cheek or your tongue, it may be an indication that you need braces. Most of the time, difficult or painful bites can indicate misalignment of the teeth, which is something that braces are made to counter.

For most people, these symptoms only occur when they are eating something that is hard to chew. That puts additional pressure on the teeth which leads to feelings of discomfort or pain. Luckily, this is one of the most common problems and is easily rectified with any of the different types of braces.

Excessive gaps/Inconsistent teeth

Too much space between teeth is usually a sign that a person needs braces. Not only do the teeth themselves look bad, but this situation may also cause significant tooth decay, eating difficulties, as well as jaw misalignment. Furthermore, the food gets easily trapped in these gaps, which causes ongoing pain and gum irritation.

If you happen to suffer from these symptoms, you may want to start looking at various types of braces that are suitable for this condition. Chances are, you are going to need them sooner rather than later.

Crowded/Crooked teeth are usually warning signs that you need braces

Crowded or crooked teeth are categorized as malocclusions. This means that they are all but require orthodontic care in one form or another. Most of the time, however, you can remedy the situation with braces. A simple way to tell if you have any risk of developing crooked teeth is to regularly floss. By doing so, you may experience that you are having a hard time flossing a few of the teeth. If that happens, it means that you are experiencing a space issue, something that you will require braces to remedy.

If you leave this malocclusion unchecked, it can lead to a severely impacted tooth that you will need to either pull out or undergo an expensive surgery to fix.

Jaw pain/Jaw clicking

Another common symptom is jaw clicking, creaking, or jaw pain. Most of the time, teeth misalignment is the culprit. Most people will not even consider irregular jaw pain to be connected to their teeth, which makes it hard to rectify it in time. If you experience any of these symptoms, your orthodontist should be the first person you call. They can then see if you need braces or if another procedure may help your situation. This pain can be easily rectified with braces, as they will correct your bite and straighten your teeth.

Also, do note that jaw pain can be an indicator of a larger issue, as well. You do not want to “sit on it” for too long. It is always better to be on the safe side after all, which you will be if you get in touch with a qualified dental professional.

One of the most common warning signs that you need braces – Protruding teeth

If you happen to have any protruding teeth sticking beyond your lips, braces are the obvious answer. They will help you get your teeth back into alignment and significantly reduce any chances of further dental injury. Not acting upon these symptoms means that your teeth are not protected by your lips, which significantly increases the risk of any fall-related injury.

Protruding teeth are also quite damaging to anyone’s self-esteem. It is much better to invest in braces and rectify the situation as soon as possible. If you are suffering from this issue, get in touch with your orthodontist and have them suggest the best brace type.

Thumb sucking

While this is not a common symptom among adults, children experience it more frequently. If you spot that your child is sucking their thumbs for an extended period of time, it may be a sign that the teeth are not growing the way they should. This situation can lead to misaligned jaw and teeth, as well as jaw pain.

What to do if you need braces?

Let’s say that you have identified one of these warning signs and are considering braces as the solution to the problem. You might be asking yourself “What to do?” The first thing you need to do is to find a good orthodontist and make an appointment. It may be that you don’t need braces and that a simpler procedure can fix your teeth. The orthodontist will examine your teeth and bite and see if you require braces in the first place. If you do, they will also have suggestions on which brace type is ideal for your situation.

Covering the cost

For most people, the cost of teeth braces is a significant “barrier to entry”. Most dental insurance plans will cover for a portion of the cost, and that is only if your orthodontist recommends the braces in the first place. What you need to do is get in touch with your insurance company before making any plans and ask them about brace coverage. You may also want to inquire about any additional, out-of-pocket expenses that you might need to cover on your own.

Another thing that can help you is the fact that most dental offices have financing options for families and individual braces that can’t afford them outright. You have options, it is in your best interest to explore them fully.

Research

While your orthodontist may suggest a brace type, it might not work for you. If you qualify for several brace types, you will want to choose the one that suits your needs the best. Every brace type comes with advantages and disadvantages, which can be highly subjective. For example, if you absolutely cannot stand to see yourself with bits of metal in your teeth, you may want to opt for Invisalign or clear braces.

What you need to do is familiarize yourself with the various types of braces on the market, as well as their pros and cons. Do some research on your own, write down any concerns or questions you might have, and take them to your orthodontist. Then you can discuss all the options with them and figure out the best choice.

Your smile – your choice

Most of us have imperfect teeth and that is a simple fact of life. The warning signs that you need braces need not be the only thing that influences your decision. Even if you don’t actually need braces to correct any malocclusion of teeth, they can still be beneficial to you. It is never too late to get braces, after all, and they can provide you with a significant self-esteem boost. Feeling great about your smile can be very important, and wearing braces for some time can significantly improve your confidence. And with improved confidence, all other areas of your life might be improved as well.

And if you are picturing braces as clunky pieces of metal that protrude from your teeth, you are way behind the times. These days, you can get braces that are completely invisible, such as Invisalign. Clear braces can provide you with another option of correcting your teeth, with minimal visual impact. Bottom line is, you have options. And Consumer Opinion Guide is here to boost your odds at securing that perfect smile by providing you with a premium selection of clear braces.