3 Signs It’s Time to See an Orthodontist

Are you one of the many people that cover their mouths when they smile or speak? Do you feel like there’s something wrong with your jaw or your bite? Maybe the problem is in the alignment of your teeth. If so, it’s time for you to see your orthodontist.

What Is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist, like the dentist, helps improve a person’s oral health. What makes them different from a dentist is their focus on study. An orthodontist’s specialty revolves around the diagnosis, correction, and prevention of malpositioned jaws and teeth. They focus on correcting bites and occlusion and improving the straightness of one’s teeth. All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. 

When to See an Orthodontist

Here are the signs that it’s time for you to see an orthodontist:

1. You have a facial imbalance

Not everyone has perfectly balanced facial features, but one sign for having an unproportioned face is your misaligned teeth. Try to smile in front of your mirror and see if your teeth are at the center of your face. If not, don’t worry, as it can be fixed by an orthodontist, and you’ll see how your face shape will improve later on. 

2. You experience the following problems in your mouth

If you’re having trouble with breathing through your mouth, closing your lips because of protruded teeth, or you keep on grinding your teeth or clenching it, you might need to have some teeth adjustments. Anyone should be comfortable with their mouths, and an orthodontist can help you fix it. 

3. There is a problem with your jaw

Normally, your tongue should gently touch your mouth’s roof when at rest, your lips are together, and your jaw joint relaxed. When you notice that you’re frequently and unintentionally biting your cheek, or your tongue often touches the roof of your mouth, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your jaw or teeth alignment. Hearing a sound when you move your jaw or feeling that it often shifts in position are also signs that you need to see your orthodontist. 

The Ordothontic Recommendation

To prevent any teeth or jaw alignment problem in adulthood, the American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends having an orthodontic examination as early as seven years old. It’s the best time for the orthodontists to tell whether a child will have any orthodontic problem in the future for the following reasons:

Reason 1: The teeth development of a child is at an early age. It’s a good time to assess whether there is enough space on the child’s mouth to accommodate all the permanent teeth they’ll have. 

Reason 2: It is easier to treat and solve orthodontic problems as early as possible. 

Being an adult, however, does not mean that it’s too late for you to have an orthodontic exam. Every day is a good time to fix your smile. There’s no right or wrong age to improve your teeth issues, so go and visit your orthodontist when you encounter any of the signs mentioned above.

Conclusion

Improving your overall oral health and your dental condition isn’t all about aesthetics and looks. It’s about having a healthy mouth that is easier to clean and a confident smile that will take you places. 

Are you looking for the best orthodontist in Charlotte, NC? Browse through our premier directory to find the local dentist near you who will help you fix that teeth problem!