Are your teeth starting to appear crooked, or perhaps you’ve observed that your smile has some gaps? Around 50 to 70 percent of children in America get braces before adulthood, but if you’re an adult, is it too late to get braces?
Absolutely not. Most people wear braces as teenagers, do not mean it’s too late for adults to do so. In fact, 27 percent of adults in North America use braces. Even if you’re beyond 60 years old, you can still have a beautiful grin. The natural wear and tear that arises as you get older is an important reason to safeguard your natural teeth and to save you from further teeth damage.
How would you know if you need adult braces? Here are three significant reasons adult braces benefit the working professional:
1. Improved Appearance
The first apparent benefit of adult braces is improved appearance. Our appearance is part of our personal branding as adults, so being presentable from head to foot benefits us professionally.
Straight teeth are easier to clean and prevent tooth decay and gum or tooth disease or strain. It also prevents jawbone erosion and tooth damage and helps adults with crossbites and overbites.
In fact, one in every four orthodontic patients is an adult. Since adult braces are now more comfortable and less obtrusive than ever because of technological developments. Adults can now have their dream smiles while maintaining their lifestyle.
2. Better Eating Habits
Another benefit of adult braces is the improvement of your eating habits. Since they prevent you from swallowing larger pieces of food, having braces consequently helps reduce jaw damage and acid reflux due to poorly-digested food. You lead a healthier life with better eating habits along with a great smile.
Constantly having to make the right food choices and chewing food properly leads to healthier oral healthcare habits that eventually stick, preventing dental problems.
3. Improved Oral Health
Looking after your oral health is as important as your general well-being. Adult braces are a terrific way to improve your oral health. Braces align your teeth to ensure they’re correctly spaced and cleaned, encouraging you to brush your teeth regularly and floss.
Furthermore, adult braces can reduce jaw pain, bone deterioration, bite problems, and gum disease. The improvement in oral hygiene gives you a healthier mouth that’s more resistant to bad breath.
Common Types of Adult Braces
When you get adult braces, you’ll get to choose the type of braces that works best for you. Here are three main types of adult braces:
- Metal Brackets: These work by applying pressure to the teeth. Depending on how severe your overall dental issues are, they may take longer to treat. It’s made up of different sizes and shapes, allowing the orthodontist to customize it with wires of varying thickness, colors, and shades depending on the patient’s needs and underlying problem.
- Ceramic Brackets: These are aesthetically pleasing and look less intrusive than metal brackets. They’re stylish, more comfortable, take less time to install, and are made from materials that look like your natural teeth. The ceramic brackets are more porous to loosen up tight teeth, allowing the teeth to shift into their right position.
- Invisalign® Removable Aligners: This adult orthodontic treatment is a removable, transparent, and custom-fit aligner that gently and progressively moves your teeth into their right position. Invisalign invisible braces are made of a series of clear, plastic aligners that you wear for about two weeks at a time to improve your smile without causing pain or disruption. Since they are brackets-free, they are perfect for the adult who likes the look of traditional braces but doesn’t want everyone to know they’re in treatment.
Conclusion
As adults, we have to go through significant changes in our lives that affect all aspects of our well-being. This includes our dental health. Getting adult braces allows you to improve your eating habits and oral health. Moreover, they give help you face the world confidently with a winning smile!
Are you looking for an orthodontist in Newton, MA? Waban Dental Group will help you take the first step in improving the look and condition of your teeth and smile. If you need an orthodontic evaluation, please call our office to set up an appointment or get more information.
