Here’s what can happen if you don’t get braces

Braces are designed to straighten your teeth, align your bite and boost your self confidence with a beautiful smile. That said, this orthodontic treatment can be a considerable commitment, so we understand if you are still deciding whether or not to go through with it. But what happens if you don’t get braces when they are recommended by your orthodontist?

Without this intervention, you could develop more severe orthodontic issues over time. That’s because the benefits of braces go beyond aesthetics – they help to resolve a range of malocclusions that can harm your oral and overall health in the long run.

If you have been advised to get braces but are not quite ready to invest, keep reading to discover what can happen if you forgo this orthodontic treatment. Below, we explain the potential risks of malocclusions that are left untreated.

Common malocclusions that benefit from braces

The term ‘malocclusion’ refers to when the teeth do not align correctly. Several different types of malocclusion can occur as adult teeth grow in, including:

• Overcrowding – the mouth doesn’t provide sufficient space for teeth to grow. Overlapped and crooked teeth are much harder to clean, resulting in plaque buildup that increases the risk of tooth decay.
• Gapped teeth – there are spaces between each tooth. By shifting these teeth together with braces, you can prevent speech difficulties and trapped food particles.
• Open bite – the front teeth are not aligned to meet when the jaws close.
• Underbite – the vertical protrusion of the upper teeth beyond the bottom teeth.
• Underbite – the vertical protrusion of the bottom teeth beyond the upper teeth.
• Overjet – the horizontal protrusion of the upper teeth over the bottom teeth. This indication is less kindly known as “buck teeth”.
• Crossbite – one or more upper teeth on the front or side of the mouth sit behind the opposite bottom teeth. This condition is often the consequence of a narrow upper jaw.

The good news is that these problems can be addressed with orthodontic treatments such as braces, typically over the course of a year or two. However, they can also get worse over time if ignored.

What happens if I don’t get braces when they are recommended for me?

Although one of the key advantages of braces is teeth straightening, this orthodontic solution helps you to achieve so much more than a great smile.

When an orthodontist suggests that you get braces, they’re usually basing their recommendation on a variety of expected dental health benefits, including improved oral hygiene, less wear and tear on your teeth and more comfortable bite alignment.

Without this intervention, you won’t experience these benefits and may even increase the risk of serious issues, such as tooth decay, jaw pain, speech and chewing difficulty, and even general health conditions.

Read on to understand exactly what can happen if you don’t get braces.

1. Tooth decay

With tiny nooks and crannies that trap food, bacteria and plaque, crooked teeth are hard to brush and floss. As harmful particles continue to build up over time, they significantly increase your risk of developing oral health issues.

Even if they seem minor at first, not resolving these problems with braces as recommended can lead to major problems, including cavities, gum disease and even tooth loss.

2. Eating and speaking difficulties

If your upper and lower jaw are misaligned, the top and bottom teeth cannot bite together correctly. This can make chewing difficult and uncomfortable.

Additionally, if you have a pronounced overbite, it might be challenging to pronounce specific words. This is because enunciation requires the teeth, tongue and lips to work in tandem – something that is not always possible with a malocclusion.

3. Physical damage to teeth

Eating with overcrowded teeth or a misaligned bite can also mean increased wear and tear on your teeth, which in turn weakens the enamel. The longer this continues, the greater the chances of your teeth chipping and cracking.

If you do not align your teeth and bite with braces when advised, your teeth will be at an increased risk of permanent damage.

4. TMJ disorder

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to the temporal bone at the base of your skull in front of each ear.

If left unaddressed, the uneven pressure exerted by misaligned bites gradually wears down these joints. Forced into an abnormal position, the jaw becomes stiff and painful. People with TMJ disorders might also experience regular headaches, neck pain, earaches and a sore back.

5. Facial development issues

In extreme cases, malocclusion can actually cause long-term changes to the shape of your face. For instance, a severe underbite can create a noticeably weak chin, while an overbite can make your jaw out far more than you desire.

If orthodontic treatment doesn’t take place while the jaw is still developing, more expensive surgery may be the only option to correct your profile.

6. Heightened risk to your general health

Your oral health has an influence on your overall wellbeing. For example, research suggests that people with unhealthy mouths are at a greater risk of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, memory loss, respiratory infections and weakened immune systems.

By following your orthodontist’s recommendations, including whether or not to wear braces, you can help to keep your teeth, jaw and body healthy.

Book an appointment for braces in Newcastle, NSW

It’s common to consider braces as a ‘nice to have’, rather than a necessity. But if left untreated, malocclusions can lead to major dental complications, costing you more time, money and stress in the future.

What’s more, as dental health is linked to overall health, orthodontic treatment can improve your general wellbeing down the line. While braces might seem like a significant commitment now, the lasting benefits to your comfort, confidence, speech, chewing and oral hygiene are worth it.

The key takeaway? If recommended by your orthodontist, braces are an invaluable investment in not only your appearance and self-esteem, but your long-term health.

To book an appointment for clear or traditional metal braces in Newcastle, please get in touch with the dedicated team at ABC Orthodontics today on 1300 794 797.