Posted on November 17, 2020
Braces are for all kinds of teeth, not just children and teens. It’s true, out of 4 million people, 75% of those wearing braces in the United States are under 18 years of age. As an adult, don’t let that statistic stop you. Just because braces are more common at a younger age, doesn’t mean they aren’t possible as an adult. All mouths deserve a healthy, beautiful smile no matter the age.
No, braces are not what they used to be; they are much better. Gone are the days of gobs of metal in your mouth, getting in the way of chewing, to achieve the ultimate smile. Metal may still be involved, but compared to 20 years ago, it has been slimmed down quite a bit. Even clear braces are now an option. That is great news when considering braces for adults, who want a more subtle look while straightening their teeth.
As a matter of fact, you may be able to skip metal in your mouth altogether, thanks to Invisalign aligners. Invisalign consists of a thin plastic, which your orthodontist molds to the shape of your teeth, making adjustments as necessary, to move your teeth for the desired improvement. A great benefit of Invisalign, is the ability to remove it when eating. Rather than cleaning around braces after eating, you can simply brush your teeth, and put your Invisalign aligner back in place. Talk with your orthodontist to see if you are a candidate.
We often think cosmetically when we think of braces, even as adults. And although both traditional braces and Invisalign aligners offer cosmetic improvement of our teeth, they also can improve our overall health by giving us proper teeth alignment and better health is necessary at every age.
When our teeth are not aligned properly, our bite is off. This puts our teeth at risk for cracking and breaking, cavities, and gum disease. So you see, if you are considering braces as an adult for a better smile, the benefits may be greater than you thought.
Talk with your orthodontist about improving your smile, AND your health, with adult orthodontic care.
