Why do so many people have crooked teeth?
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| straight teeth look great |
Our ancient ancestors faced a different
set of conditions which helped fit the size of their jaws to the size of the
teeth. The reason is due to their diet. They did not have the luxury of highly
processed vitamin and calorie enriched foods. Infants had to subsist on
mother's milk instead of processed infant formulas with high calories and
vitamin content. Children and adults also had to subsist on lower calorie
harder foods that took much more effort to chew and extract nutrients. The
result was that the jaws grew larger and the teeth would fit together
perfectly. The result of our modern diet and child rearing behavior is
that children's jaws will not grow to their full potential... thus the teeth do
not have room to fit into the smaller jaws and become crowded. Consequently 80%
of the population raised on a modern highly processed, high calorie, and
vitamin enriched diet will have crooked teeth.
OK so we will have crooked teeth, what is the big deal?
The big deal is twofold:
·
First
as our jaws do not develop completely and mid face is pushed back. This smaller
space means our airway does not develop fully. This can lead to many issues
related to Sleep Apnea, enlarged tonsils, allergies, ear infections, and a
multitude of related conditions including ADHD in a child. As the child becomes
order Sleep Apnea can bring on many other serious conditions as well including
heart disease, diabetes, stroke obesity, daytime drowsiness and other systemic
inflammatory conditions.
·
Second is the problem that crooked teeth
inherently affects to the longevity of the teeth. Crooked teeth will wear
unevenly, lead to more tooth decay and periodontal disease, premature loss of
teeth and extensive dental treatment like gum surgery, fillings crowns root
canals, extractions, etc. These treatments are expensive, time consuming and
possibly uncomfortable. Add to that the cost of medical treatment and the
possibility of shortening of a person's life, and you quickly see that it is a
big deal.
OK so what are you recommending that we eat like our ancestors?
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| cave men ate raw foods |
Well that would do the job, though it
would be hard to do today. Instead I am recommending children be evaluated very
early to get their growth on track before the adult teeth are in. Interceptive
orthodontics can alter growth with easy to use removable appliances. The teeth
and jaws can be aligned and growth encouraged so often no further orthodontic
care is needed, or if it is needed, it will be minimal. The health benefits of
interceptive orthodontics cannot be over emphasized. The other benefit may be that
the full cost of treatment is lower.
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| interceptive orthodontic appliances |
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| interceptive orthodontics |
Can Adults as well can benefit from straighter teeth?
Absolutely they can. Teeth wearing
excessively, gums receding, gum disease, and chipping, breaking cavities are
all increased with crooked teeth. When the teeth are aligned well they will
wear evenly, look better and stay healthier. The gum tissue will be healthier
as the teeth are easier to clean which also means less cavities. Why would you
not want to have this?
What other benefits would I have from straight teeth?
The most obvious one is a beautiful smile,
and a better self-image. Your smile is one of your most important assets.
Many people don't want that "Braces Look", what are the options?
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| Invisalign |
Invisalign has come a long way and
continues to develop as the people's choice for orthodontics for adults and
increasingly for teens. The clear aligners are easy to wear and the teeth are
easy to clean. Clear braces and tooth colored orthodontic wires can also be
used in some cases as well.
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| clear braces |
Where can I find out more about interceptive orthodontics and adult braces?
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| beautiful healthy smiles for the entire family |
We can help you determine the best choice
for each and every family member. We have been treating adults and children for
over 30 years. Most orthodontic offices wait until a child becomes a teenager where 90% of the growth has already taken place and the treatment options are limited. We recommend treating as early as possible to take advantage of the growth.
