More than likely, if you have crooked teeth, you’re going to either need braces or a  clear aligner solutions like Invisalign to straighten your teeth. However, the only real way to know for sure if you need braces is to see your dentist or orthodontist to find out if you need them.

Signs To Look for to Help You Determine if You Need Braces

Below are some key signs to look for to help you determine if you need braces or not:

Biting Your Check, Roof of Your Mouth, or Tongue Often

When you’re trying to eat or even chew gum, if you have issues with biting yourself in the mouth due to the shape and arrangement of your teeth, you probably need some orthodontic work. This may include braces and possibly other things, like pulling teeth to give you more space.

Grinding Down on Teeth Harshly When Chewing

Have you ever been eating something like even a sandwich, but you notice that you sometimes grind your teeth or clash them together in a way that is very uncomfortable? You may also think you chipped something from the pressure that happens. This is usually due to misaligned teeth that affect your bite.

You Have Crowded, Misplaced or Blocked Teeth

If your teeth are misplaced or are blocking other teeth, it can be challenging not only to eat healthy food but also to care for your teeth. If you want to look after your teeth and keep them for life, getting braces will really help in this case.

Your Jaw Protrudes or Makes a Strange Sound

Even if it doesn’t bother you now, if your jaw continues to make sounds like grinding or clicking sounds when you move, or it protrudes differently than it should, it can cause you problems later. This may be more than your typical braces issue, too; you may need significant help in this area.

Your Teeth Don’t Meet In a “Bite”

When you relax your mouth and put your teeth together for a smile, if your teeth don’t have a “bite” at all that fits together with the way they should, you can end up with extra wear and tear due to grinding when eating or sleeping. Braces can fix this issue.

Also, if you know that you have lost baby teeth either too early or later in life, there can be some issues. Regardless of what you see when you look in the mirror, if you’re having any problems that make eating and even talking hard, seek a diagnosis from a qualified dentist.

If you are thinking about getting braces to help improve your smile, we invite you to come in for a Free Smile Assessment where we can sit down and discuss your concerns. At that time we can also go over your options which range from traditional braces to a clear aligner solution like Invisalign. While traditional braces are relatively comfortable, they can be difficult to wear and can pose a safety risk, especially if a patient is active or plays sports. Invisalign, on the other hand, can be taken out whenever the wearer needs to perform a strenuous activity without causing pain. This means that patients can still play sports and other activities without being uncomfortable. But a disadvantage of Invisalign is that the process may take longer than traditional braces.

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