Are You at the Right Age To See an Orthodontist?

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Monitoring your oral health can help you avoid tooth pain, gum disease, and other issues that could cause you to become ill. Seeing a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings can help keep oral disease at bay, but are you doing enough to ensure the future health of your teeth and gums? Scheduling an appointment with an orthodontist at certain stages of life can help you do so, even if you do not see an immediate problem.

Before Permanent Teeth Come In

 If you have children, taking them to an orthodontist before all their permanent teeth come in can help reveal issues that might affect them later in life. Orthodontists can monitor a variety of factors as your children grow and these might include:

• Proper jaw development
• Teeth crowding
• Crooked baby teeth

Having an orthodontist track these developments can help him or her gauge when any necessary treatments or dental correction need to begin. The sooner problems are discovered and evaluated, the better the chances they can be corrected without a great deal of pain or multiple procedures.

As a Teen

 You will probably have all of your permanent teeth by the time you are a teenager; however, they might develop oral issues that need the attention of an orthodontist. Teeth that have grown in crooked or that are pushing others out of position can be corrected at this stage, such as with braces. Dental technology has allowed orthodontists to offer teenage patients like you invisible braces, which can be less cumbersome and more attractive than traditional metal ones.

As a Young Adult

 Wisdom teeth can present a problem as they grow in, and many young adults experience this problem without warning. These molars, which are located far in the rear of the upper and lower jaws, can come in decayed or crooked, which can cause pain and affect other teeth. An orthodontist can assess these molars and remove them if necessary.

In Your Senior Years

 Your teeth can change as you grow older and your bone density changes. Decay and other problems may also increase the risk of gum problems. Seeing an orthodontist can help you avoid oral pain, as this type of dental professional can cast dental implants, create dentures, and remove teeth that may be affecting other parts of your mouth.

There is no wrong age to see an orthodontist, as consulting one can help you improve the way you care for your oral health. Call or email an orthodontist in San Clemente, CA today for an appointment and discover all innovative strategies for protecting your teeth at any age.

Thanks to John Redmond Orthodontics for their insight into orthodontics and the right age to see an orthodontist.