Straight Teeth? Here’s Why You Just Might Need Braces, Anyway

A Straight-Toothed CoupleWhen you smile in the mirror, do you like what you see?

It’s important that you are satisfied with the way your teeth look. But even more important than appearance, is the actual health of your teeth. Straight teeth aren’t exactly a guarantee that they are healthy teeth.

How could braces make a difference in your smile even if your teeth are straight?

Common Bite Alignment Issues

It’s not just the individual teeth themselves that can cause problems. It’s not unusual for a person’s entire bite to be off. Some examples of a bad bite (or “malocclusion”) include:

  • Crossbite in which the teeth do not properly line up
  • Overjet (buck teeth)
  • Open bite (where teeth don’t close all the way together)
  • Underbite (like a bulldog)
  • Overbite (deep front bite)

Malocclusion: What’s the Danger?

If the teeth themselves look fine, what’s the big deal if they don’t line up perfectly? When teeth close the way they should, they exert even pressure against each other. They stay secure in their positions and the pressure from biting strengthens the bone around them. Teeth also wear evenly.

If teeth overlap as they shouldn’t, then they’ll wear against each other. This can weaken the enamel and make them prone to demineralization, fracture, and decay. The uneven pressure can eventually push teeth even farther out of alignment.

So a bad bite can spell trouble down the road. This is especially true of kids. Bite issues are easily addressed while kids are still young, so make sure that your children get an orthodontic evaluation as soon as possible. Treatment now could spare you more complicated treatment in the future, in addition to correcting the damage done to teeth.

Correct Your Bite at Brackets, Wires and Smiles

Whether you need a lot of teeth straightened, want to give your smile a cosmetic boost, or have your bite evaluated, Dr. Farooq Ahmad can help you out. Discover the best orthodontic solutions for your entire family at Brackets Wires & Smiles here in Vista by scheduling an appointment. Call us today!