Orthodontia is a dentistry branch dealing with the correction of misaligned teeth. Dentists typically use braces that also alter patients’ bites. For decades, the practice was primarily used for children’s teeth but, today, many adults also schedule the work so they can fix lifelong problems. For example, residents may opt for Orthodontic Treatment in Vancouver WA to prevent tooth grinding. They depend on practices like Mill Plain Dental Center to provide orthodontia that makes it easier to control tooth decay and relieve symptoms of TMJ.
Correcting Teeth Can Minimize Decay
Orthodontic Treatment in Vancouver WA straightens crooked or crowded teeth that are often breeding grounds for tooth decay. It is common for food to be caught in malformed teeth, and cleaning them can be difficult. Bacteria tend to break down food in teeth and increase oral acidity. Teeth then become coated with plaque. Plaque buildups erode enamel over time, leading to cavities. Plaque also contributes to gum disease that can cause loose teeth and receding gums. It is easier to prevent these problems from occurring in straight teeth.
Orthodontia Can Correct TMJ
Dentists often recommend orthodontia for patients who suffer from TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome. That is a condition marked by jaw pain, and it can be caused by a range of medical issues. However, it is less likely to occur when teeth are correctly aligned. Misalignment puts a strain on jaw joints. Eventually opening and closing the mouth becomes difficult. Patients may also get headaches, hear a popping sound in their jaws, and feel facial pain.
Aligning Bites Helps Reduce Teeth Grinding
Patients who have their teeth straightened often stop grinding their teeth. A malocclusion, or faulty bite, creates a strain that may cause patients to grind their teeth or clench their jaws without realizing it. Over time, tooth grinding will damage teeth. Straightening teeth helps reduce the risk of developing these problems.
Advances in dentistry now make it possible for patients of all ages to arrange for orthodontia that can correct a variety of problems. Straightening teeth makes it easier to prevent tooth decay. Since orthodontia also corrects patients’ bites, it often stops or prevents issues like teeth grinding and TMJ.
