October is Orthodontic Health Month

National Orthodontic Health Month (NOHM) is in part a celebration of healthy, beautiful smiles and the benefits of orthodontic treatment – but also, an opportunity to focus on the importance of good oral health, especially for orthodontic patients and those who are interested in treatment.

Why Should You Seek Orthodontic Treatment?

Oral health is a window into your overall health. Orthodontic treatment helps ensure proper function of teeth and create healthy smiles. A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak. Teeth that are misaligned are harder to clean and can cause abnormal wearing of tooth enamel which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures.

Orthodontic treatment is not a quick fix. It is a complex biological process. Orthodontics involves changes in jaw bones, facial bones and soft tissue as teeth are moved into their new positions. Your care will start with a thorough examination of the teeth and mouth, and study of dental records, including x-rays, photos and models of the teeth. From this, Dr. Christenson & Dr. Oakley can develop a custom treatment plan. Click HERE to learn about what to expect at your first visit.

Working together with your orthodontist, orthodontic treatment can yield life-enhancing results: better function (biting, chewing, speaking). It’s worth the effort to reach the goal you, Dr. Christenson & Dr. Oakley all share – giving you a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.

Benefits of Orthodontics

Improve Your Self-Esteem.

Your smile is one of the first thing other people notice about you; however, there are other more compelling reasons for considering orthodontic treatment. How you feel about your smile affects your self-confidence. If you are self-conscious about having crooked teeth, a large overbite, spaces between your teeth, etc, you are less likely to want to smile. This can affect your overall quality of life as you may feel the need to cover your mouth when you speak, smile, or laugh in public, or worse, you may try to avoid those situations all together!

As orthodontic treatment improves the esthetics of your smile, it is also improving the health of your teeth and mouth. The improvement in appearance begins very soon after treatment begins. Patients often start feeling more confident just by starting orthodontic treatment because they know they are taking an active role in improving their smile.

When you love your smile, you can approach your school or career challenges and your personal relationships with confidence.

A Healthy Smile and a Healthy Mouth

Straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment improves the health of your teeth while also improving the appearance of your smile. Straight teeth that bite together correctly are easier to clean, less likely to have abnormal wear, and are less likely to get gum disease.

A Great Feeling at Any Age

In the past, orthodontic treatment was thought of as something for kids and teenagers. But today adults make up almost 1 in 4 orthodontic patients. Improvements in oral hygiene and self confidence from orthodontic treatment is not limited to children. Advances in orthodontic technologies, braces are smaller and can be clear, and teeth can be straightened with clear, plastic aligners (like Invisalign). At Christenson Family Orthodontics, we recently finished treatment with aligners on a wonderful, kind man who was 87 years young!

That being said, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children seeing an orthodontist around age 7 for an initial consultation. Most 7 year olds do not need braces, but Dr. Christenson and Dr. Oakley may be able to suggest interventions that would allow your child’s permanent dentition to erupt properly or to modify the growth of their jaws. Our Chesapeake Orthodontist and Virginia Beach Orthodontist teams are always ready to help. Some orthodontic treatment options are more effective when a child is actively growing. This can help avoid more complicated and invasive treatment later.

Visiting a Chesapeake Orthodontist or Virginia Beach Orthodontist will improve your dental health and mental health! It’s time for you to love your smile!