Orthodontics

Orthodontia is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces are appliances or devices used to make these corrections. Braces are a common method of changing your appearance. Today, even adults are requesting braces. Braces are usually placed by an orthodontist. When teeth are crooked / ill-aligned, they produce disharmony of the face. The teeth are also more susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease and dental decay. A poor bite can also stress your jaw joints (TMJs) or facial & masticatory (chewing) muscles and can cause pain. Both fixed and removable orthodontic appliances are available to correct the position of your teeth & reposition the bone in harmony with the facial structures.

Who needs Orthodontic Treatment?

Children as well as adults are choosing to have orthodontic treatment for several reasons:
-malocclusion (bite or occlusion is off) -tooth misalignment (crooked teeth)
-unhappy with appearance of teeth
During the preteen and teenage years, the jaws are growing and maturing, therefore it is easier to shift teeth at this stage rather than later on in adulthood. More adults are choosing to have orthodontic treatment in order to improve the appearance of their teeth. Since their jaws are no longer growing, treatment may take a little longer.

Causes of Mal-occlusion

Hereditary - for example, you may inherit your mother's small jaw, and your father's large teeth; if this is the case, your teeth would be too large to fit your jaw.
Trauma - if you lose a tooth due to an accident, then teeth may start to drift into the empty space.
Disease - you can lose a tooth early due to cavities or gum disease; this often leaves a space which other teeth drift towards.
Malnutrition - nutritional deficiencies can alter the growth of the jaws and teeth.
Habits - like lip-biting (below) & thumb-sucking can shift the teeth out of alignment.

How to take care of your orthodontic appliances (Braces)

Braces collect food and dental plaque very easily. If proper oral hygiene is neglected during orthodontic treatment both tooth decay and periodontal disease can easily occur. It is very important to maintain a daily plaque control program. Such a program may be as follows:
A soft toothbrush should be used. A special orthodontic toothbrush can also be used to brush your teeth.

Flossing with braces takes more time than usual. Superfloss or floss threaders can aid in flossing, and make it more time efficient.

An interdental brush can be used to fit between the wire and the tooth to remove hard-to-reach plaque and food debris.

Oral irrigators can be used as an adjunct to brushing and flossing. This helps remove food debris and plaque.
A mouthwash containing fluoride can be used to help prevent cavities from occurring.
Hard foods should be avoided since they can bend the wires, loosen the bands, or break the brackets. Fruits and raw vegetables should be cut up into smaller pieces and chewed on the back teeth.
Sticky foods such as gum, toffee, and caramel should be avoided since they can bend and break the wires and brackets.
Foods high in sugar should also be avoided, since these increases the chances of tooth decay.
Regular dental appointments are important to monitor the health of the teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontics is a lot of work and taking care of them is not easy, but in the end, the results will be worthwhile when you have your new and improved smile.