It’s important for everyone to secure their oral health, and one way to do this is to make sure that you don’t have any pending issues waiting to act up. To this end, you should know when you can benefit from visiting an orthodontist. Read on to see five signs that you shouldn’t ignore that indicate that you need to head to your orthodontist’s office right away.

1. If You Have Cavities

If you’re suffering from one or more cavities, it’s a good idea to have an orthodontist look at your teeth. Not only do cavities hurt; they can also pave the way for bigger oral health issues later on. They should help you find out whether there’s a permanent and effective solution to your cavities so that you can improve your oral health once and for all.

2. If Your Breath Is Particularly Bad

If you’re suffering from persistent and extreme bad breath, you should seek the assistance of an orthodontist. Bad breath from your mouth may be a sign of underlying issues that could alert you to another health problem you need to solve. With the help of an orthodontist, you can get to the bottom of this and remedy the issue, getting your oral and overall health back in good shape.

3. If You Have Missing Teeth

There are different situations that may lead to the loss of teeth, and you may have suffered from one of these issues. Regardless of how you lost your teeth, you can’t ignore the fact that missing teeth can deal a blow to your confidence levels. As such, you should head to an orthodontist to get help in replacing the missing teeth. In the United States, the number of people getting dental implants has increased by 500 thousand per year. This is according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, which also states that implants have been used for over 30 years and are the most natural and strongest alternative for missing teeth. Your orthodontist can help you find a solution to the problem of missing teeth, so you should see them as soon as possible.

4. If Your Jaw or Mouth Hurts

If you’re experiencing pain in your mouth or jaw, it’s a good idea for you to see your orthodontist. There are many reasons for this problem, including illness and injury. With their experience and set of specialist tools, you can be sure that an orthodontist will get to the bottom of the reason you’re in pain. They can help you by suggesting working solutions that will help you live a more comfortable and healthy life overall.

5. If Your Teeth Are Crooked

Finally, if your teeth are crooked and feel like they could be straighter, talk to your orthodontist. You’ll probably be prescribed braces to straighten them over time. Keep in mind that about 45% of people need braces for functional issues, according to HowStuffWorks. This number may go even higher when you include those who may need braces for hidden issues. An orthodontist is the best person to help you decide on the best course of action to take at the end of the day. For this reason, listen to their advice or seek a second opinion if you’re not convinced by what they tell you.

Remember that the longer you ignore an oral health issue, the worse it will get. This means that it will become more expensive and need more work to fix. That said, head to the orthodontist as soon as you notice any of these signs. They can help you find solutions like dental implants, which have a 90% to 95% chance of success after having been used for 35 years. You’ll have a better chance of preserving your oral health if you get help as soon as you need it.