FROM THE MAGAZINE
Back To School Checklist: When To See An Orthodontist
Keeping healthy teeth helps with your function, diet, chewing and overall quality of life. “There is a correlation between bad brushing and flossing to some systemic diseases or heart conditions.”
“Aligners and braces are our specialty, as well as other orthodontic appliances to move teeth, to correct bites and make sure it’s a functional bite overall. I had braces when I was 12 and it changed my entire smile and just made me more confident overall.”
Molly says it starts with your dentist.
“We do see a rise in orthodontic patients over the summer,” says Molly Kopf, an orthodontist at Wagner, Kuntz & Grabouski Orthodontics in Sioux City. “Parents are trying to get kids or themselves in before schedules get busy.”
“The dentist is the first to know whether you need to see an orthodontist because they see you the most frequently,” she explains. “They’re watching how your teeth are coming in, especially in adolescents that are losing baby teeth, and the front ones are growing in. They’re usually the ones that say that something isn’t quite right and that you need to go see an orthodontist.”
Molly understands that isn’t always realistic for every family.
“There are other things to look for if you aren’t regular with dental checkups. First is the crowding of the teeth. If it’s a front tooth area, that’s usually noticeable. The teeth are a little bit twisted and turned or there are usually some bite concerns where you feel like you just can’t chew or bite correctly.”
Sometimes issues are harder to notice.
“If you have so much crowding where there’s a tooth that’s stuck under the gum, that can be harder to see,” Molly says. “Some people complain about pain in the gums, or some people may think there’s a tooth coming in up high.”
Check-ins with your dentist ensure the overall health of your teeth before trying to move them.
“Dentists really look for if you have big cavities or infections. Some of that we can see on our x-rays, but the dentist takes the particular ones. If someone has cavities or infections of the roots, and we try to move teeth around, we could make it worse.” Both adults and children can seek orthodontic treatment.
“With children, we can use the fact that they are growing to our advantage, especially with braces. Typically, those teenage years are when we like to work on bite correction.”
Molly says adult teeth can be more stubborn. “They’ve been set in the gums and the bones for a little bit longer. So, the treatment can take longer to move specific teeth. We just don’t have the same growth potential that a younger adolescent has, to use to
our advantage.”
So, how can you make sure your teeth are in tip top shape?
“Brushing at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night,” she adds. “They say the average adult brushes for about 15 to 20 seconds but for most people that doesn’t quite cut it.”
You also need to ensure your gums are getting brushed too. “So not just the edges of the teeth but all the way up to those gums for at least a minute or two. Make sure you’re brushing in the circular motions to get them healthy and getting any spots that could be concerning. Your teeth are very important to your overall health. It’s important that you’re taking care of them.”