At Carvalho & Roth, we treat patients with all sorts of orthodontic conditions, both severe and mild. In some cases, however, it can be hard to tell when a small aesthetic issue crosses the line into needing orthodontic treatment. That line can be surprisingly thin, as well. A mild case of crowding may be nothing to worry about, but the same can’t always be said for underbite or crossbite, which can cause bite problems and issues like TMJ further down the line. That said, there are a few things to look out for that can signal that you might need braces:
- Aesthetic Appeal: Perhaps the most obvious way is to see if you’re satisfied with the aesthetic appearance of your smile. Do you find your teeth to be too pushed together? Too far apart? Do they not quite overlap? Even if they are only aesthetic issues, they still may be worthy of orthodontic treatment.
- Biting Your Mouth: If you regularly bite your cheeks or bite into the roof of your mouth, your jaws may not be aligned correctly – and that could call for orthodontic treatment.
- Difficulty Chewing: If you have a hard time chewing your food properly or you do all of your chewing on one side of your mouth, this may signal that it’s time for an evaluation.
- Mouth Breathing: If you mostly breathe through your mouth, make an appointment with us – this isn’t strictly an orthodontic issue, but it can have an impact on the development of your facial muscles, and orthodontic treatment can help.
- Chronic Pain: If you regularly get headaches, earaches, or pain in your jaws, cheeks, or head, you may have TMD – something we’d recommend getting a consultation for.
Contact Your Marlborough, MA Orthodontists
Ultimately, the only way to know if you need braces is through a complete orthodontic evaluation – and we’re happy to help with that. Feel free to reach out to us at our contact page with any questions or use our easy online form to schedule an appointment at our Marlborough, Northborough, or Newton Centre, MA office. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to seeing you back at this blog for more tips and info on how to keep your smile healthy, beautiful, and strong.