Health

Oral Problems that Can Be Addressed with Orthodontics

By  | 

We all want to be the picture of health, and oral hygiene is an important part of our overall well-being, and rather than viewing the orthodontist as someone to visit when in pain, regular visits will ensure a healthy set of teeth and gums, which, after all, have to endure very heavy use. For future reference, here are just a few of the oral conditions that an orthodontist can treat.

  • Teeth Crowding – Without a doubt the most common condition for an orthodontist to treat is teeth crowding. This is caused by an imbalance between the jaws and the teeth, and bracing is the usual treatment, although in severe cases, extraction might be the best solution. Whether you’re looking for orthodontists in Melbourne or Sydney, an online search is all it takes to make an appointment, and after an initial examination, the right treatment can be recommended.

 

  • Protruding Teeth – Caused by the lower jaw being slightly set back from the upper, and it is often the result of thumb sucking, which is not something you should encourage in your child. Protruding teeth could give your child an inferiority complex and the protrusion puts the front teeth at risk of damage, and there are several methods used to treat protruding teeth, which include bracing and specific headgear, along with habit cessation, which often has the desired result. Children can be cruel without realising it and if your child is nicknamed “Goofy”, it is time to seek professional help, which comes in the form of orthodontic treatment.

 

  • Open Bite – This condition is typically the result of thumb sucking or continued tongue thrusting, which is common in children, and the teeth do not overlap correctly, something that affects the bite. The best remedy is to reinforce the breaking of this habit, but if it has been going on for some time, then extraction might be the best treatment. Every person is unique in their dental make up and what works for one patient might not be suitable for another, which is where the orthodontist comes in. After an initial examination the specialist would recommend the best treatment, and the problem will be rectified.

 

  • Deep Bite – When the top teeth overlap the bottom row, this can cause gum damage and the usual treatment is to apply pressure using steel braces. This condition causes excessive tooth wear, and for that reason, treatment should be prompt, as this can be a difficult problem to treat if left unaddressed for any length of time.

 

  • Anterior Cross Bite – When the upper front teeth bite inside the lower teeth, this is called anterior cross bite, and this can put tremendous stress of both teeth and gums. Early intervention is recommended with brace treatment or a plate device being the usual treatment, and in most cases, the treatment can be discontinued after a few months.

 

  • Posterior Cross Bite – The opposite of anterior, the upper front teeth cover the lower set, and again, this puts unnecessary stress of the jawbones and the problem needs to be addressed as early as possible in order to avoid intensive treatment. If a young child develops the problem and it is not recognised, there might be serious consequences after a few years, which is just one of the reasons to have regular oral check ups.

Preventative measures are much preferred when it comes to oral hygiene, and if you are not aware of the location of the nearest orthodontic clinic, a Google search will land you on the website of a local venue, and after an initial examination, any oral issues can be remedied.

avatar

Olivia is psychologist and entrepreneur from Brisbane. Mother of two beautiful children and proud owner of two silly boxer dogs. She is passionate writer, a traveler and conscious consumer, seeking healthy and sustainable products to incorporate into the lives of her family. Her motto is “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply