Braces are a big commitment; they can be expensive and once you get them, you may have them for several years. So, if you’re wondering, “should I get braces?” there are a few steps you should take before determining an answer for yourself.
There are many people who benefit greatly from getting braces for different reasons. You may be one of those people, but braces are nothing to rush into and should be seriously considered before any big decisions are made. With this in mind, if you’re still thinking, “should I get braces?” then read on.
3 Steps to Take to Help Answer the Question: Should I Get Braces?
1) Take a Good Hard Look at Your Teeth
Braces are used to straighten crooked teeth and set teeth into their correct positions in the jaw so that proper mouth functioning and a beautiful smiles can be the result. Not many people have perfectly straight teeth, but small gaps or just a bit of crookedness may not be worthy causes for braces. Take a good look at your teeth; does it look to you like there are teeth that are far from where they should be? Are there very large gaps or spaces between teeth? Are teeth so cramped that you have trouble cleaning them, eating, or talking normally? All of these may be reasons for you to get braces. Crooked teeth, gaps and spaces can cause more serious problems in your mouth down the road and should be dealt with accordingly. However, some of these issues could be fixed with other methods besides braces and so the third step on this list will prove helpful. Keep reading…
2) Determine Whether or not Your Teeth are Causing you Pain or Discomfort
Maybe the reason you’re wondering if you should get braces is because you are experiencing pain or discomfort due to the misalignment of your teeth. If this is the case, there are many things that could be going awry in your mouth and braces may or may not be the answer. Either way, professional dental care of some kind is certainly a good idea and seeking that out should be your next step. If your teeth do not cause you any pain or discomfort and the results of step #1 above revealed a fairly straight and aligned set of teeth, there’s a good chance you may not need braces.
3) Consult Friends, Family and Most Importantly, a Dentist
If you feel that something should be done for your teeth, talk to friends, family and a professional. This can help you determine the best course of action. Maybe a family member has a similar set of teeth as you and has had some work done that didn’t involved getting braces. Getting opinions and advice from others is a good step to take when considering any big commitment. Of course, the most valuable opinion you will want to get is that of a trusted dentist like Dr. Calvin Lee. You can find quality advice from trustworthy dentists at Plymouth Valley Dental Group and we invite you to come on in for a consultation if you’re still wondering, “should I get braces?”
