Why Most Australians Could Do with Some Orthodontic Treatment

If you've never had any form of dental treatment in your life, you are a very lucky individual, indeed. The vast majority encounter dental decay, which typically starts in adolescence and continues throughout life. This is especially prevalent in countries with high calorie diets, such as Australia. This can invariably lead to the loss of teeth, but it's not acceptable to simply deal with missing numbers and carry on. What do you need to consider, when it comes to your dental functionality?

The Importance of a Full Complement

One of the key reasons why people choose to have their missing teeth replaced is to make sure that their smile is acceptable and aesthetically pleasing to others. This can give them a tremendous amount of self-confidence, which can help develop their careers and personal life. This is not the most important reason for having a full complement, however. If there is a gap, the bone and gums in the area will start to go through a process of movement, which is called "drifting." When this reshaping happens, the teeth that surround will not be correctly positioned themselves.

Why an Orthodontist Is Needed

Orthodontic dentists specialise in fixing these issues. They want to help you with that self-confidence, but also want to ensure that you can chew food comfortably and don't have misaligned teeth. Many people report that it's difficult to clean when teeth have been moved out of place and this can quickly lead to other issues with oral health and gum disease.

While the alignment of teeth may have been a high priority during teenage years and adolescence, adults do tend to pay less attention as they grow older. This is why older people will typically require the help of an orthodontic specialist, as a problem begins to develop.

Dealing with Braces

If you want to straighten out teeth that have moved out of place in this way, it is traditional for braces to be fitted. A certain amount of pressure and tension is applied through wires and brackets and this method can also strengthen the bone beneath, leading to good results.

Strengthening the Base

However, you have to ensure that the bone and the gums are in generally good condition before braces can be fitted properly. Sometimes, periodontal disease may have begun and the gums may have shrunk to a certain extent. This will need to be addressed before the work can begin.

Making a Decision

If you know, deep down, that you have some form of orthodontic issue, you're not alone. Most adults in Australia could benefit from a scheduled visit, so take the lead now and start to put things right.

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