3 Surprising Reasons You Should Visit an Orthodontist

You are likely already aware that you need to see an orthodontist if you need to straighten your teeth and have a nice smile. However, there are various other reasons you should be visiting an orthodontist.

Some of these reasons are as follows.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  If you suffer from sleep apnea, your first instinct may not be to visit an orthodontist. In fact, most people don’t even pay enough attention to this issue to take it to the doctors. However, an orthodontist can help with this condition. Often, the tongue blocking the airway can cause the airway to be closed off, leading to sleep apnea development. This happens because people with constricted narrow arches don’t have enough room for the tongue. An orthodontist can widen the arches to help accommodate the tongue.
• Teeth Drifting After a Tooth Removal
  When a tooth is removed, the teeth on both sides tend to sneak into the space left behind by the missing tooth. If a replacement tooth is placed in such altered conditions, it can compromise the results. Through orthodontic treatment, the teeth are moved back to the original place so that the tooth replacement can be inserted without any issues.
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
  Orthodontists can also provide treatment for the pain and headaches caused by TMJ dysfunction. Depending on your condition, you will likely be asked to wear an orthotic while sleeping. However, sometimes the condition requires a more extensive treatment, which includes the use of ultrasound, old laser, relaxation techniques, and muscle manipulation. A licensed orthodontist can provide you better guidance on how your treatment should go.

If you find yourself suffering from any of these issues and reside in the area of Luptin, Frederick or Dacono, visit Firestone Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. Our team of orthodontists, which includes Dr. David Garlock & Dr. Matthew Brady, can assist you with these or any other orthodontic issues you may have.