Orthodontists are dentists that specialize in straightening teeth, often through the use of braces and other dental devices like retainers.
While this profession is well known in the United States and Canada and has become almost a rite of passage for young teens, there is a seeming lack of awareness of orthodontists outside of North America.
Even in other countries with medical systems that are as well educated, like Japan and the United Kingdom, few teens are taking advantage of these services.
Lately, the trend has been increasing, but still has a long way to go when compared to the number of people that make use of these services in Canada.
Care provided by a proper dentist can be crucial in other areas of life.
A bright smile with straight teeth can help boost the self esteem of the patient, giving them the confidence they need to advance.
There is also a considerable about of evidence linking proper dental care and health to other areas, and poor teeth can be a sign of problems with the cardiovascular system, chronic infections, and other health issues that might otherwise go unnoticed until they manifest themselves in a more severe manner.
Also, if left unimproved, the teeth may wear against each other in a way that leads to their early decay, necessitating more critical dental care in the future to remove and replace teeth that otherwise might have lasted the patient a lifetime.
With dental care, it is best to begin early and maintain strong, healthy teeth for the balance of a lifetime.