Life in Papillion is packed with smile-worthy moments—school events, family gatherings, and everything in between. Dr. Hawley and Dr. Brace at Hawley Orthodontics enjoy helping patients feel ready for every one of those moments with a confident smile. But sometimes, subtle shifts in your teeth or bite might be telling you it’s time to check-in. Wondering if it’s the right time for a visit? Here’s a helpful guide to keep your smile in great shape.
1. Is Your Child Losing Teeth Too Soon or Too Late?
Kids lose baby teeth on their own schedule, but losing them too early or holding onto them too long can cause more than just a tooth fairy delay. When baby teeth fall out too soon, the surrounding teeth may shift into the empty space, potentially blocking adult teeth from coming in correctly. On the flip side, when baby teeth stick around too long, they can crowd or misalign the incoming permanent teeth.
If your child’s tooth loss pattern seems unusual, an early orthodontic evaluation at Hawley Orthodontics can help spot any potential concerns and guide future development. Next, we’ll take a look at how crowded or overlapping teeth can make daily cleaning trickier.
2. Are You Struggling to Clean Between Your Teeth?
If flossing feels like threading a needle or your toothbrush just can’t reach certain areas, crowded or overlapping teeth might be the reason. When teeth are packed too tightly together, they create hard-to-reach spaces where plaque and food particles can hide. Over time, this can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, and even gum inflammation.
Orthodontics can help by creating a treatment plan that straightens crowded teeth, making oral hygiene much easier. With expertise from Hawley Orthodontics, those tight spaces become more manageable, reducing the risk of long-term dental issues. Up next, let’s discuss how jaw clicking or tension might signal the need for orthodontic care.
3. Do You Hear Clicking or Feel Tension in Your Jaw?
Hearing a clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth, or feeling tension after chewing or talking, can point to bite misalignment. When your teeth don’t fit together properly, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can experience added stress, which may lead to:
- Persistent jaw tightness or soreness
- Limited movement when opening your mouth wide
- A clicking or popping sound during everyday activities
How Hawley Orthodontics Can Help
Dr. Hawley and Dr. Brace have experience spotting and correcting bite-related issues that could be causing jaw strain. Whether through braces or other orthodontic solutions, they can help reduce the tension and keep things comfortable. If chewing or speaking leaves you feeling sore, it might be time to set up an evaluation. Now, it’s time to explore why noticeable gaps between teeth can be more than just a cosmetic concern.
4. Have You Noticed Gaps Getting Bigger?
Picture this: you’re mid-meal, and food keeps sneaking into those pesky spaces between your teeth—again. Gaps might seem harmless at first glance, but they’re more than just a quirky smile feature. Here’s why:
- Cleaning gets tricky – Gaps give food particles and plaque more room to settle, making it harder to keep your mouth clean.
- They affect how your teeth work – Uneven spacing can lead to imbalanced pressure when you bite or chew, causing faster wear on some teeth.
- Long-term risks – Left untreated, gaps can result in more frequent dental issues, like cavities or gum problems.
Luckily, Dr. Hawley and Dr. Brace know how to close the gap—literally. Whether you’re dealing with a few minor spaces or larger gaps, Hawley Orthodontics can restore balance and function to your smile. Moving on, let’s chew on why eating may feel a little more challenging lately.
5. Is Chewing Becoming a Challenge?
If biting into food feels awkward or you find yourself chewing more on one side, something might be off with your bite. Issues like overbites, underbites, or crossbites can create uneven chewing patterns that aren’t just inconvenient—they can cause long-term problems.
Over time, uneven chewing puts extra pressure on certain teeth, leading to faster enamel wear. And since chewing is the first step in digestion, incomplete chewing may impact how well your body processes food.
The Hawley Orthodontics team can help restore balance, making meals more enjoyable and comfortable. Coming up, let’s see how mouth breathing might be another sign it’s time for an orthodontic evaluation.
6. Is Your Child Breathing Mostly Through Their Mouth?
It’s easy to overlook how someone breathes, but mouth breathing can signal something deeper. If your child tends to breathe through their mouth, especially while sleeping, it could be related to how their teeth and jaw are positioned.
What are the signs to watch for?
- Persistent mouth breathing during the day or night
- Snoring or noisy breathing while asleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
Our team can determine if orthodontic care can help improve airflow by adjusting the position of the teeth or jaw. Next, we’ll take a look at why teeth grinding could mean it’s time for a check-up.
7. Are You Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth?
Teeth grinding (also called bruxism) and clenching can cause more damage than you might think. If you’re waking up with a sore jaw or notice your teeth looking flatter than usual, it’s a clear sign your bite may need some attention.
Over time, this habit can result in:
- Worn-down enamel, which makes teeth more prone to sensitivity
- Chipped or cracked teeth, especially in severe cases
- Jaw soreness or tension, making mornings less comfortable
Dr. Hawley and Dr. Brace can help identify the cause of your grinding and create a solution that reduces pressure on your teeth. Whether it’s braces or aligners, proper treatment can ease the tension and protect your smile. Let’s wrap things up with how Hawley Orthodontics can help.
Time to Take the Hint
Your teeth have ways of letting you know when it’s time for an orthodontic check-up. Whether it’s trouble chewing, jaw tension, or pesky gaps, ignoring these signs can lead to bigger issues down the road. Dr. Hawley and Dr. Brace at Hawley Orthodontics are here to help keep your smile in top form. Schedule a free consultation at our Papillion office, and let’s get things straight!