Misaligned teeth and malpositioned jaws can lead to bad bites and affect the normal functioning of your teeth. Malocclusions are one of the problems that an orthodontist can help fix. If you are not sure when to see an orthodontist, read through the following signs.

1. Crooked Teeth

Having crooked teeth is an obvious sign you need to visit an orthodontist. Crooked teeth can affect your confidence when it comes to smiling or talking in public. Luckily, an orthodontist can help fix that.

2. Pain

If you always experience pain in your jaws, gum, and mouth, you should be checked by an orthodontist. Bad bites can wear the enamel, and over time, this will expose the inner sensitive portion of teeth called dentin, leading to pain. This can also cause tooth decay if not solved earlier.

Moreover, misaligned teeth, especially those protruding, are highly susceptible to cracks and chips, resulting in pain. Gingivitis can also be the cause of the pain. It is hard to brush and floss misaligned teeth, and so plaque might get a chance to develop, leading to gingivitis.

Crooked teeth can also cause headaches. Due to their misalignment, your jaw joint and the muscles around it can't relax as usual. This will lead to fatigue and excess pressure, which will cause headaches and migraines. If you relate to any of these pains, it's time to see an orthodontist.

3. Difficulty Chewing and Speaking

If you find it hard to chew food, you might be dealing with malocclusions. Therefore, if you always leave the table last because you can't chew fast like others, you should be worried. You should also be alarmed if you find it so hard to articulate certain words, as it might be due to crowding teeth. And for all these cases, you need to see an expert in orthodontics. 

3. Sleep Apnea

Crooked teeth usually reduce mouth airflow, and this obstruction will lead to sleep apnea and snoring. Therefore, if you always experience sleep apnea, an orthodontist can help you. The dentist will give you a mandibular advancement device to move the lower jaw forward, preventing airway obstruction. You can also use a tongue retaining mouthpiece that positions your tongue forward to prevent it from touching the back of your throat.

If the patient is a child, a rapid palate expander can be used to widen the upper jaw. And within some time, the upper and lower teeth will align, and the child will no longer have trouble breathing while asleep. 

If you experience any of the above signs, you need orthodontic services. A good orthodontist will fix your bad bites and restore your glowing smile again.