It's very rare for people to go through their lives without having some form of dental treatment. Often, this can start in adolescence and continue past the formative years, especially due to the type of high calorie diet prevalent in Australia. Many people have teeth extracted as time goes by, perhaps due to preventable decay. Yet there are clear reasons for figuring out the repercussions of extraction. What do you need to think about when it comes to the pure functionality of your dentition?
What Can Happen
There are very many reasons to have a proper "bite" and a strong array of teeth. It is often said that having a full complement in this regard can give people tremendous self-confidence, which can in turn help them in their personal life and in terms of enhancing their career. Yet when any teeth are removed and nothing is replaced, this can in time lead to "drifting," as the gums and bone reshape themselves and the other teeth have less of a guide to position them.
This is where the specialist comes in and an orthodontic dentist needs to be consulted. In addition to the difficulties people may face with their self-confidence, misaligned teeth can also make chewing food uncomfortable or more difficult. It's also true to say that teeth that are misaligned are more difficult to clean and this can, in turn, lead to the development of more issues and potential gum disease.
The Consequences of Inaction
Adults are far more likely to have teeth that require the services of orthodontic specialists than young people. Often, teeth alignment is a high priority during the teenage years, while things can be left to slide in adult years, as more and more problems develop.
How Is It Done?
Braces are the traditional method of straightening teeth, where tension and pressure are applied through brackets and wires. This method has been shown to reposition and strengthen the bone as well, making for a permanent and pleasant final result.
Starting From a Good Base
It's important to remember that you must have a healthy set of teeth, gums and bone for the orthodontist to do their proper magic. If there is any evidence of periodontal disease, shrinking of gums and other side-effects, then this needs to be addressed first before any straightening can begin.
Are You Affected?
It's very likely that you could benefit from a dentist's advice, as statistically many Australian adults have some type of orthodontic issue. The sooner that you schedule a visit, the sooner that this can be addressed.
Share23 February 2017
I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.