Straight teeth are an essential cosmetic feature in 2021. Our teeth are the first things people notice about us, and it’s important to make a good first impression. Misalignment issues, such as crooked teeth can impact your bite and require dental braces.

Being uncomfortable with your smile can lead to self-esteem problems and difficulty interacting with others. In fact, the great majority of adults in the United States believe that their life is less satisfying because of their dental health. Having poor dental hygiene can also cause you to avoid smiling. Dental conditions impact not only your confidence and happiness but also your overall health. Pain is the most commonly reported dental symptom, and dental issues have caused tens of millions of adults to take time off work in the past year.

Even slightly crooked teeth can lead to shifting and overcrowding in your mouth, which can be corrected with the use of dental braces and orthodontics. Contact Splendid Dental Bellaire today to learn more about how we can give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

The Right Orthodontist Can Give You Near Perfect TeethA woman holds a picture of a smile with braces in TX in front of her mouth

The top set of your teeth are responsible for protecting your cheeks, while the bottom set protects your tongue. When you have misalignment, it can result in a serious overbite or underbite. Misalignment forces your jaw to adjust in order to perform simple tasks like talking and chewing.

Some of the most common causes of misalignment include:

Misalignment can occur at any point throughout your life. Children can experience misalignment because their mouth is too small, which causes overcrowding. Injuries and premature removal of impermanent teeth can also cause misalignment. In children, if an impermanent tooth is extracted because of tooth decay, it causes your permanent tooth to grow before it’s ready. This can lead to the new tooth shifting its neighboring teeth and causing misalignment issues.

Impact and traumatic injuries, especially to your mouth and jaw, can also cause misalignment. Regardless of what caused your misalignment, correcting the issue is important in order to prevent additional complications such as TMJ.

Benefits of Dental Braces

Dental braces are used to correct misalignment issues and straighten your teeth. Dental braces are a proven and highly effective treatment for crooked teeth. Another problem that dental braces can fix is gaps between your teeth. While tiny gaps may go unnoticed, larger gaps can create a pathway for bacteria to enter your gumlines. Closing gaps can approve your appearance and keep your mouth healthy. 

Another problem gaps can create is increasing the amount of buildup stuck between your teeth. If you have large gaps, it allows more food particles to accumulate between your teeth, which can lead to plaque and tartar buildup. Misalignment can also be embarrassing and cause you to conceal your teeth or avoid smiling.

There are three main types that dental braces offer:

  • Metal braces
  • Porcelain braces
  • Clear plastic aligners

Metal braces are the most visible type of braces. Porcelain dental braces are very similar to metal braces but are less noticeable because they are the same color as your teeth. Metal and porcelain braces are installed on top of your teeth by a dental specialist and are periodically adjusted until your misalignment is fully corrected, which can take anywhere from six months to 30 months.

Clear plastic aligners are removable. Unlike metal and porcelain dental braces, they are transparent and don’t require adjustments. Instead, you will receive a new set of clear plastic aligners roughly every two weeks until your misalignment issue is resolved.

Shifting Teeth After Braces

Shifting of the jaw potentially contributes to the teeth returning to their original position as you age. This demonstrates a reason for needing braces as an adult. New issues related to aging, such as adult teeth becoming crooked or experiencing disease affecting the jaw, tooth loss, or trauma, can lead to potentially needing braces. Crooked or misaligned teeth can affect the ability to chew and can potentially lead to pain or other issues.

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Life

Keeping your gums and teeth healthy also benefits your physical health and wellness. Poor dental hygiene can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer, strokes, and bone loss in your jaw. When you go in for a cleaning, dentists take the opportunity to look for other issues like fractured teeth or loosened fillings. Dentists also check your oral health progression and make recommendations on how to improve if they see you trending in the wrong direction.

Learn More at Our Dentist Office Today

Don’t let crooked or misaligned teeth hold you back. Dental braces can permanently resolve problems like crooked teeth so you can have the smile you deserve. Contact Splendid Dental Bellaire today at 713-244-7797 to find out more about our premier dental services.