As you grow older, your teeth can shift and change, possibly affecting your appearance and overall oral health. Fortunately, when smiles aren’t so straight, several orthodontic solutions can put teeth in their place. Since having braces is a lengthy commitment, you want to ensure you’ll benefit from the treatment. Offering general and cosmetic dentistry services in Thomasville, NC, Nicholas J. Hurley, D.D.S, P.A., explains some of the major reasons you should consider braces.

Dr. Hurley reminds you that while many orthodontic patients are teenagers, numerous adults also benefit from treatment. As such, age shouldn’t be a consideration. Instead, look for the following issues to determine if you could benefit from braces:

• Crowded Teeth: Dental crowding is a common problem that happens when adult teeth cannot properly fit along the jaw. With time, teeth are forced against each other, causing crooked and overlapped positioning. If left unaddressed, crowding can cause painful issues and promote decay, as cleaning in between teeth becomes more difficult. By holding them in place with gentle force, braces can pull teeth back into a proper formation.
• Bite Problems: There are several types of bite problems that can be corrected with orthodontic care, such as overbite and underbite. Bite issues are hard to notice but refer to any situation where the top and bottom rows of teeth don’t align correctly when the mouth is closed. Without orthodontic care, a bad bite can lead to painful jaw problems and cause teeth to wear.  
• Gaps: For many people, gapped teeth are just a cosmetic issue that does not require treatment. However, these spaces can leave gum tissue at risk of damage and excess plaque buildup, which may contribute to periodontal disease. Braces close these gaps by slowly forcing teeth closer together.

If you’re concerned about these problems — or any other cosmetic issues — your dentist is the best resource to find out if you’re a candidate for braces. Dental patients in Thomasville, NC, can turn to Nicholas J. Hurley, D.D.S., P.A., to discuss traditional metal braces, as well as alternative orthodontic treatments, such as Invisalign®. Visit this practice online to learn more about available services or call (336) 476-1109 to schedule a convenient consultation.