Whether to correct an overbite or underbite or some other issue with the mouth or jaw, orthodontic care is important for all ages – but especially adults. Neglecting your orthodontic care as an adult means you could be creating more problems for yourself down the road. Correct them once and for all through braces, Invisalign or just start off with a free consultation with Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser.
You can have a healthy, beautiful smile but this may mean some treatment along the way. First off, good dental care goes hand in hand with orthodontic care in order to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It’s important to visit the dentist every six months even as an adult in order to check on the general state of your teeth as well as remove deposits of plaque and tartar. If left unchecked, this neglect can lead to the following, according to MedlinePlus:
- Cavities
- Gingivitis (inflamed and swollen gums)
- Periodontitis (destruction of ligaments and bone that support the teeth)
- Chronic halitosis, also known as bad breath
- Abscesses, pain and the inability to use teeth
- Other health problems such as preterm labor and heart disease
Orthodontic Care
When it comes to orthodontic care, it’s important to see a specialist if you have the following:
- Crooked teeth
- Overcrowding
- Gaps between teeth
- Cross bites
- Overbites
- Under bites
Neglecting basic orthodontic care to correct these issues can lead to more serious problems. For example, an overbite (an excessive protrusion of the upper jaw) happens to be the most common type of malocclusion but it should be checked out by a dental professional to determine what type of treatment is needed. The longer you wait through adulthood to address this, the more potential for serious problems such as issues with:
- Eating and chewing
- Speech impediments
- Jaw pain
- Worn tooth enamel
- Increased chance of getting cavities and gum disease
- Soft tissue damage
- Risk of damage to front tooth through trauma
In addition to the above, severe overbites can alter the structure of your face as you get older. Fortunately, many of these issues can be corrected with adult braces or Invisalign. Not only will you look better, your wallet will be lighter. Putting off visits to the dentist and orthodontist can leave you susceptible to anything from tartar buildup to gum disease to cavities, and those corrective procedures aren’t cheap. With the average dental visit costing between $80 and $175, which many insurance plans cover, you can compare that relatively low cost to that of cavity drillings, root canals, tooth pullings, bridges and dentures, which can total into the thousands of dollars.
For more information on adult oral hygiene, please call Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser. We have a variety of convenient appointment slots for your convenience.
