Looking great is a priority for many people, and rightly so. When you feel your best, you can tackle the challenges of life much more confidently. But feeling great starts with looking great, and that means having nice teeth. Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws to correct irregularities known as malocclusion or “bad bite”. People who are born with crowded or crooked teeth may need an orthodontist to help them perfect their pearly whites. An orthodontist in San Diego can offer a range of services from consultations to braces. If you think you need an orthodontist, read on for five reasons why you should visit one sooner rather than later:
It’s the first step to a beautiful smile
Your appearance, both in person and in photos, will be greatly enhanced by healthy teeth that are straight and white. Studies have shown that people with perfect pearly whites earn more, so it makes sense to take care of them. Getting braces can be painful and inconvenient, but the results will be well worth it, as you’ll be able to smile with confidence. Besides, if you don’t get your teeth fixed now, you may need more extensive work later in life. If you visit an orthodontist El Cajon as soon as you suspect you may need braces, you can get the whole process finished much faster.
Your overall health is at stake
Your bite is a key part of your overall health, and that includes your dental health. Your bite is what allows you to chew your food, and if it doesn’t line up correctly, you could suffer from all kinds of health issues, including Bad breath – A bad bite can cause food to pool around your teeth, which can leave your breath smelling horrible. – A bad bite can cause food to pool around your teeth, which can leave your breath smelling horrible. Tooth decay – If food isn’t being removed from your teeth, bacteria can build up and start to eat away at the enamel. – If food isn’t being removed from your teeth, bacteria can build up and start to eat away at the enamel. Gum disease – If your gums are infected, they can start to recede, leaving your teeth at risk of being pulled. – If your gums are infected, they can start to recede, leaving your teeth at risk of being pulled. Headaches and migraines – Your bite impacts your spine and nervous system, leading to headaches and migraines if it’s out of alignment.
It can help you overcome TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a painful condition caused by misalignment in the jaw. An Invisalign dentist San Diego can help you overcome TMJ. It is most commonly caused by a bad bite, which squeezes the jaw and places strain on the muscles that control it. Orthodontic treatment can correct this misalignment, allowing the jaw to function properly again and reducing pain levels. In some cases, you may require jaw realignment surgery, but this is far less common than with people who don’t receive orthodontic treatment.
A retainer will be required after braces
If you’re getting braces, you’ll likely have to wear a retainer after the process is complete. This is a piece of custom-made plastic that will keep your teeth in place and prevent them from sliding back into bad alignment. Retainers are fitted by orthodontists in San Diego, so if you don’t wear them correctly, you could end up with crooked teeth again. In some cases, you may be required to wear the retainer for the rest of your life if you’ve had extensive dental work. Retainers are not comfortable, so it’s important to wear them as prescribed.
Conclusion
In short, it’s never too early to start caring for your teeth. Even if you don’t think you need orthodontic treatment now, it’s a good idea to start visiting an orthodontist in San Diego to keep your teeth in good condition. You never know when you might need to get braces, or even have a tooth pulled.