Can you believe that babies grow 52 teeth while in the womb? This amount corresponds to the number of teeth they’ll need throughout their lifetime, including baby teeth and their permanent ones.
It’s an unfortunate fact that these teeth can end up growing with abnormal spacing and other potential issues. Many people don’t realize how this can affect their dental health, which is why it’s so important to familiarize yourself with the connection.
Are you wondering if getting dental help is necessary? Keep reading to learn all about when to consider orthodontic solutions for teeth spacing with this in-depth guide.
Health Issues Associated With Dental Spacing
When it comes to the spacing between teeth, one of the most major issues involves keeping your teeth clean. Since there are extra spaces between each tooth, there’s also a higher chance of plaque build-up. If you can’t get rid of the plaque in time, then it’ll cause a chain reaction of tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
Left untreated, you may start to notice bleeding around your gums, receding of the gum line, one or more loose teeth, and unpleasant breath, among other symptoms. Another possible issue that could stem from severe spacing in your teeth involves chewing. If your bite is off, then that could cause jaw pain and accumulate into other serious issues, including bruxism.
While it’s possible to take extra care of your teeth if you have large spaces, a reputable dentist should assess your situation during a scheduled consultation and recommend a tailor-made course of action.
There’s a good chance you’ll need the help of braces. Over time, braces will realign your teeth and close the gaps. This is true no matter the tooth size.
However, there are some instances in which it might be necessary to extract a problematic tooth, such as one that’s been impacted too deeply within the gum tissue.
What to Expect Before You Get Braces
Most people think braces are only for a certain age group, but you can get braces at almost any stage of your life. Simply put, braces are for anyone who has orthodontic issues that braces can fix, such as tooth spacing. The old saying “it’s better late than never” definitely applies to this dental solution.
Depending on where the gaps are located, you could need braces on your upper teeth, your lower ones, or both. While the circumstances are unique to each individual, most people wear braces for around 2 years. However, sometimes the procedure is quicker and other times it can take longer.
The good news is that you may not need traditional braces at all. Depending on the severity of your tooth spacing, you could be a candidate for Invisalign. This involves taking a mold of your teeth and wearing a removable mouthpiece that gets updated over time as your teeth shift into their proper places.
Instead of having to clean braces and deal with the other maintenance requirements, you can simply take out your Invisalign when you need to eat and clean them with ease whenever it’s time.
Dental Implants Instead of Braces or Invisalign
If the gaps come from several missing teeth, then another solution involves getting dental implants. This can fill the gaps with material that looks almost identical to your real teeth so that it’s almost impossible to tell the difference.
Since dental implants are a permanent solution, they require surgical installation. You can get a single tooth, several teeth in the form of a bridge, or full-on dentures. The procedure involves an implant body and an abutment that connects the implant to the artificial tooth.
While they’re meant to last a long time, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of them as well as you do your real teeth. For instance, it’s best to avoid eating hard candy and similar treats. Chewing ice is another way you could introduce cracks and ruin your investment.
Of course, not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. For example, a smoking habit can interfere with the healing process and cause various issues. There are other factors to consider as well, such as how long the implant will take to heal in general.
To learn more about whether or not you’re a candidate for this orthodontic solution, it’s worth scheduling an appointment with a dentist you trust.
Teeth Gaps Can Reduce Confidence
Did you know that women smile around 62 times a day while men smile around 8 times a day on average?
It’s an unfortunate fact that we smile less and less as we get older. People don’t realize that smiling can affect your mood in a meaningful way. The more you smile throughout the day, the better off you can be.
A lack of confidence is yet another reason to opt for dental solutions to abnormal teeth spaces. This has nothing to do with being vain, for instance. The eyes may be the window to the soul but a smile can make the difference between a positive interaction with someone and a negative one.
Whether you plan on going on a date or giving an important business presentation, a confident smile is something you should feel free to do at all times.
Are You Ready to Fix Your Teeth Spacing?
Now that you’ve learned about when to consider orthodontic solutions for teeth spacing, you can have much more confidence in your smile. Best of all, you won’t have to concern yourself with the problems that come from spaced-out teeth.
If you want a reliable and experienced dentist to help with all your dental needs, then look no further than our highly-rated services. From Invisalign to sleep apnea, we’re here to help. We also specialize in pediatric dentistry so children can have a comfortable experience.
Feel free to reach out to us to schedule an appointment that best fits your schedule.
