The teeth are a crucial part of the body because they allow us to chew food and eat easily. You should never skimp on oral care because it can significantly affect your quality of life. However, one can only do so many protective measures because the teeth can still experience problems, such as having gaps between them.

The good news is braces can fix the gaps between teeth. Braces are devices made of metal wires that are attached to the teeth. It holds the teeth in place and blends with the rest of the mouth, which does wonders for the teeth and other aspects of a person’s life, such as self-esteem. However, not many people know more about its purpose, so we’ll discuss how braces work and fix tooth gaps. Read on below to get started.

Causes of Gaps between Teeth

Before getting into the specifics of braces, one must know what can cause tooth gaps. These are:

• Teeth that push the other teeth out of their positions
• Missing teeth
• Natural development
• Having a large tongue (makes the teeth flare and creates spaces between teeth)
• Having a large jawbone (too much room for misaligned teeth to grow)
• Losing baby teeth too early (which makes the adult teeth erupt and grow misaligned)
• Periodontal or gum disease (causes bone loss making the teeth shift and create spaces)

Possible Problems with Gaps between Teeth

If there are gaps between teeth, the following issues can occur:

Reduced Gum Health

Gaps create more areas where food can get stuck. The bacteria from the food get trapped in the gaps, leading to periodontal or gum disease. If untreated, periodontal disease can even cause tooth loss.

Various Dental Concerns

Dental issues such as plaque build-up, tooth decay, and bad breath can happen if gaps exist between teeth. These issues can be painful and annoying, so it’s vital to seek professional help when treating gaps using braces.

Bad Physical Look

Having gaps between the teeth isn’t a good look, affecting self-esteem. The gaps are also hard to clean and make it harder to chew food, which doesn’t favor anyone.

How Braces Close Gaps between Teeth

As mentioned above, braces are devices that hold the teeth in their proper positions. Braces effectively close gaps because they pull the teeth together in their proper alignment. They can even help restore damaged teeth and gain support for the mouth’s muscles, especially when chewing food.

They do this by attaching wires to the teeth. The wires then connect to make a structure that moves the teeth at a specific pace. It’s a little complicated to understand, but it’s not that different from a mouth guard because it protects the teeth and gums.

How Fast Can Braces Close Gaps?

Generally, it could take between 6 to 8 months before tooth gaps are fully closed. However, this still depends on several factors. These include:

• Overall condition of the teeth
• Position of the teeth
• Gap size
• The muscular function of the face
• Bones that support the teeth
• Occlusion

For example, if the teeth are in bad condition that is very loose and has a lot of space, it could take as much as 2+ years for the gap to fully close. However, if the teeth aren’t in bad condition and the gap is small, it could take as little as 6 months to close.

The Cost of Braces

The average cost of braces is about $3,000, and in some places, it can go as high as $10,000. This is a significant amount of money that not everyone can afford. For this reason, it’s essential to compare various dental professionals and the rates they charge.

It also helps to have dental insurance. It can lower the cost of treatment by a significant amount because the insurance provider will cover some of the cost. Because of this, you can get the gaps between your teeth fixed without worrying too much.

Conclusion

Having gaps between teeth has several consequences, including tooth decay and gum disease. To avoid these issues, you should seek to get the tooth gaps fixed by using braces. By having braces, your teeth will be corrected, avoiding mild to severe oral health issues.

If you’re looking for family dentists in Manassas, VA, Liberia Dental Care is the dental clinic for you! We offer various services for general and cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics to ensure that you can flash a bright smile. Simply go to our website to request an appointment!