It’s tempting to talk about orthodontics in aesthetic terms – after all, what you notice when you look in the mirror is that your teeth look straighter and therefore your smile is more conventionally attractive. What you may not realise is just how important orthodontics can be in terms of tackling long-term health problems.

Typical problems treated by orthodontics

As a dedicated orthodontics centre in Carlisle, we see a wide range of problems at York Place Dental, ranging from protruding upper front teeth, crowding, large spaces and asymmetry to deep bites, open bites and impacted teeth.

As well as damaging your confidence and how you feel about your smile, misaligned teeth can cause or significantly contribute towards problems such as:

• Difficulty chewing and eating
• Speech impediments
• Jaw pain
• Sleep apnoea
• Grinding or clenching of teeth
• Gum disease and tooth decay
• Headaches

How orthodontics at York Place Dental can make a difference

Because we specialise in orthodontics, we are able to build up a complete picture of your teeth and suggest the best teeth straightening options to correct any problem areas. These options include traditional wire braces and invisible orthodontic solutions.

We can:

• Remove crowding
• Close spaces
• Enhance your facial aesthetics
• Reverse drifting caused by gum disease
• Reduce the likelihood of damage to prominent front teeth
• Prepare your teeth for advanced dental treatments such as crowns, bridges or implants

We also correct many of the health problems highlighted above. Headaches, for example, are often caused by the way misaligned teeth place stress on the chewing muscles. Similarly, orthodontic treatment can be life-changing for you (and your partner) as a cure for snoring and sleep apnoea.

We must not underestimate the emotional benefits of straighter teeth either. Having crooked, misaligned teeth can cause years of misery, of hiding at the back of photographs or even missing out on new opportunities because of how you feel about your smile.

Low self-esteem can contribute to problems such as depression and anxiety, which in turn can cause symptoms including digestive problems, chest pain, joint pain, headaches, backache, exhaustion, fatigue, weight loss or gain, and dizziness. The list goes on.

Ultimately, orthodontics is about making the best of your teeth, of creating the ultimate version of your smile using what nature has already given you. Once you can bite correctly, you will be able to eat and speak more comfortably. It will also be much easier to look after your teeth and gums, protecting you against gum disease and tooth decay, and helping your natural teeth to last a lifetime.

And, above all else, you’ll feel good about your smile. We see it every day here at York Place Dental –  people who have always hidden their smile suddenly have the confidence to show it to the world. In changing how they see themselves, they change how the world sees them too.

Just as crooked teeth can lead to a vicious cycle of health problems, straighter teeth can lead to a positive cycle of good health and improved confidence.

To find out more about your orthodontic options in northern Cumbria, or to discuss how your teeth might be affecting your health, speak to us on 01228 580490