March 19, 2024

When to Visit an Orthodontist

Healthy teeth have an impact on your overall health and sense of well-being. With this, having healthy teeth should not be taken for granted – regardless of the age. You have to see an orthodontist. Orthodontists are dentists that specialise in making the teeth move through brace or through Invisalign Calgary.

When is the right time to see an orthodontist?

The ideal age to visit an orthodontist for the first time is age 7. At this stage, not all orthodontic issues can be addressed but many can be identified. The orthodontist may be able to identify potential issues from crowding to alignment, protruding teeth, under-bites and many more.

In general, here are signs that you or your child needs an orthodontic treatment:
•    If there are overlapping teeth
•    If the jaws “pop” or click when opening and closing
•    If there is difficulty in chewing
•    If there is facial asymmetry
•    If breathing through the mouth
•    If teeth clenching or grinding
•    If there is difficulty with speech
•    If flossing is difficult

Other oral issues

For children and teenagers, the risk of cavities is greater with braces. If your child has a fight with cavities, it is imperative to wait until better oral hygiene becomes a habit. After this, the dentist can apply enamel-hardening treatment to cease the possibility of further damage.

For adults, the most serious problems are jaw soreness and grinding teeth. The good news is that it can be permanently fixed by proper orthodontic treatment. It is imperative that you go to the dentist because this can lead to broken teeth and severe jaw joint. The mouth should be relatively healthy before putting braces. Keep in mind that putting braces can cause serious disruption to your mouth.

The recommendation of dentists for children and teenagers

These days, dentists recommend that children have a consultation with orthodontists as early as age 7. If you wait for the teeth to set in, the problems will worsen. Early to mid-teenage years is actually the most common time for people to get their braces, bridges, splints, and headgear, which can help their jaw and teeth to properly align.

For teenagers that have not been evaluated by an orthodontist, most dentists will schedule the appointment especially after identifying a specific problem after the check-ups.

The recommendation of dentists for adults

Once the mouth has finished growing and the teeth have been set, the dentist can determine the areas of special wear. These are often caused by incorrect alignment of the teeth. The dentist will look at these areas and give recommendations about what kind of orthodontic treatment could help.

Conclusion

In the case of teenagers and children, orthodontics should be handled delicately because the mouth is still growing and the teeth are still growing in their final stages. As with the adults, it is easier to determine the right time for orthodontics because their mouth is finished growing and teeth are already set.

It is time to contact an orthodontist and schedule an appointment immediately. Teeth are important therefore it should not be ignored. The earlier you consult and have treatment, the sooner you will find comfort. With this, you can smile confidently.