A lot of people do not have the perfectly straight teeth that are seen to come straight out of a magazine. This can be due to a number of factors, many of them out of a person’s control. Genetics can be largely responsible for how a person’s jaw and teeth develop; as is the modern diet of softer food, causing the jaw not to grow as large as it did previously in people.
This can result in crowding teeth that can overlap and cross over simply because as they erupt, there is no space for them in the gum. An overbite or underbite can be inherited from one or both of an individual’s parents as can other unique dental traits.
Other factors, such as restricted access to appropriate dental care, excessive thumb sucking or pacifier use in babyhood, and disease or injuries to the jaw, all can result in teeth that are not as straight and healthy as they could be.
Orthodontics in Weybridge is an area of dentistry that deals specifically with straightening teeth. Should a patient be concerned about the appearance of their teeth, maybe they intend to contact their nearest professional for advice on what they can do about correcting it.
Who should see one of these professionals?
Every child should be seen by a dentist who can inspect their jaws and teeth at an early age, in order to determine whether they will need to have some kind of corrective device later in their lives.
The quicker that an issue is identified, the quicker treatment can begin and it is also likely that the treatment can be shortened as well. The ideal age for most people to have a corrective brace on is between 7 to 13 years old.
This is because adult teeth have erupted, yet the jaw is still malleable enough to be able to be easily manipulated into the correct position.
It doesn’t mean that adults are unable to correct the position of the teeth or jaws if they missed out on the opportunity as a teenager or youth. In fact, many adults are choosing to perfect their smile in order to improve their health and self-esteem.
It is common for those to have not had treatment earlier in their lives simply because the technology was not as advanced as it is today. Alternatively, possibly they or their parents couldn’t afford it, or their teeth and jaws were not in bad enough condition to warrant the time and cost of the traditional braces that were available.
Teeth, unfortunately, will not correct naturally over time, as some people are led to believe. Even missing teeth will not allow teeth to straighten out, as there is more room for teeth to spread. Teeth will actually twist and deform in shape more throughout a person’s life, so the sooner that they seek a consultation, the sooner they can enjoy having a smile that they are happy to share with the world.
By speaking with a dentist about their choices, patients will be pleasantly surprised to discover the multitude of different options that they can choose from.