When To Know You Need To Visit The Orthodontist

Here are the circumstances of situations that warrant scheduling an orthodontic appointment.

Q: “How can I tell I need to go to the orthodontist?”

A: The American Association of Orthodontists recommends making an appointment at the orthodontist in any of the following situations:

• You or your child is 7-10 years old and has not seen an orthodontist
• You desire teeth straightening services
• You’ve been referred by your dentist
• You require jaw alignment
• You have concerns about your bite
• You are concerned about the alignment of your teeth
• You have concerns regarding grinding your teeth
• You have difficulty chewing or biting
• You’re experiencing popping or grinding sounds in your jaw
• You’re experiencing abnormal wear and tear on your teeth

When you should see a dentist:

• Your teeth have heightened sensitivity to cold or hot
• Your gums are puffy and/or they bleed excessively when you brush or floss your teeth
• You have had fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, etc.
• You want to improve the way your smile looks
• You have severe bad breath
• You experience bad tastes in your mouth on a regular basis
• You smoke or use other tobacco products on a regular basis
• You become pregnant
• You are experiencing pain or swelling in your mouth, face or neck
• You have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay
• You have a spot or sore that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth and it isn’t going away
• You experience excessive mouth dryness
• You are undergoing medical treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy
• You have popping sounds in your jaw, or jaw movement has become painful when opening and closing, chewing or when you first wake up.
• You have an uneven or imbalanced bite
• You have difficulty chewing or swallowing
• You have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders or are HIV positive