Facts About Orthodontics You May Not Even Know

Orthodontics is a way to correct teeth and jaws that are improperly positioned. Crooked teeth do not fit well together and are harder to clean which places them at a higher risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Misaligned teeth can also cause extra stress on chewing muscles that can lead to jaw aches or headaches. Orthodontic treatment can help correct these issues while giving you an aesthetic smile and boosting your confidence. An orthodontist will view your medical history, take special X-rays of your mouth, and take plaster molds of your teeth. All these can help them determine an orthodontic treatment plan that will work best for you.

Orthodontics can be used to treat different specific oral habits and different bite issues. An underbite occurs when the lower teeth are pushed too far forward, or the upper teeth are too far back in your mouth. An overbite has the appearance of the upper front teeth sticking out too far forward over your lower teeth. Crossbites occur when the upper and lower teeth do not go slightly in front of the back teeth when you bite down. An open bite is when there is space between the biting surfaces of the front or side teeth as you bite down.

There are different forms of orthodontic treatment used to correct bite and spacing. They can be both fixed and removable. These appliances are used to help move the teeth and retrain muscles in your jaw. These treatments work by putting gentle pressure on teeth and jaws. Your orthodontist can help you determine which method will work best for you.

Here are a few orthodontic facts that few people know, but we share the following points:

• Acid is worse than sugar

Acid causes cavities, not sugar. When you consume a sugary treat, the bacteria in your mouth feed off the sugar and then excrete acid which erodes your tooth enamel causing tooth decay and cavities.

Sour sweeties contain citric acid which is a naturally corrosive material and can soften tooth enamel leading to cavities. Starchy foods like crackers and croissants can also cause cavities. Saltines, for example, are fermentable carbohydrates which increase the acid in your mouth. 

Help your teeth regain minerals and inhibit tooth decay by drinking plenty of water and occasionally gargling with a salt water rinse to neutralize the pH balance in your mouth. Orthodontic treatment can ensure your straight teeth have fewer cavities because sticky foods are less likely to get trapped and your teeth are easier to clean.

• Enamel is strong yet brittle

Enamel is known as the hardest substance in your body, but it is also one of the most brittle. Using your teeth to open packages such as a bag of crisps or chewing on hard things like ice or pen caps can cause unnecessary stress to the enamel.

When enamel is abused it can lead to cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. If you accidentally abuse your enamel by chipping your tooth, you may need to see a cosmetic dentist in East Grinstead. Wear a sports guard if you participate in contact sports and avoid chewing your fingernails or ice.  

• Wisdom teeth may go away

Some scientists theorize in a few generations humans will no longer have wisdom teeth. Currently, around 35 percent of people are born without wisdom teeth. This is because we no longer need a bigger jaw bone which was once used to chew roots, so we are slowly evolving to be born without them.

This will help benefit many people who get their teeth straightened before wisdom teeth come in; some opt to have them removed to prevent teeth from further shifting.

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Written By:

The Smile Gallery is a private and NHS dentist in East Grinstead, West Sussex, England. Dr. Rahul Nehra and Dr. Aak Gautam are the principal dentists who genuinely care about patients and ensure a relaxing atmosphere at the clinic from the start of your dental journey.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.