It’s 2019, and braces worn by adults are more common than ever. Maybe you’ve seen a co-worker sporting brackets and wires, or an acquaintance or family member. You’ve been turning it over in your mind: “Should I get braces?” We’re here to say, don’t let hesitation about the appearance of braces hold you back. Sure, depending on the type of orthodontia you choose, they’ll be visible on your teeth. While this may feel too embarrassing to contemplate, it’s much more comfortable and normal after you’ve gotten them placed. You may get some questions the first week, and then everyone will be used to your braces after that, including you!
Braces are a good idea for interested adults because:
People are living longer, and therefore need healthy, aligned teeth to last as long as possible. The average life expectancy in the U.S. is about 78-and-a-half years old. Many people live well beyond that. In the past, it tended to be more customary for people to plan for dentures: everyone pretty much assumed they’d have their teeth replaced at some point. Modern dentistry focuses on lifelong dental health, with the goal of conserving healthy teeth as long as possible. If your teeth are going to last your whole life, don’t you want them to be aligned and healthy?
Straighter teeth may be the right way to love your smile. Since society views straight teeth as aesthetically pleasing, you are likely to hold greater value of your smile after braces. You deserve to feel good every time you smile. When you do, you’ll smile more freely, which can benefit the way you interact with other people. And since your teeth could last a lifetime, you want to make sure you like the way your teeth look.
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean. Food and teeth plaque gets stuck more easily between crooked teeth. There may also be pockets, nooks and crannies in the gum tissue surrounding crooked teeth, which is another situation that can lead to trapped food debris. Gum disease, inflammation and infection can therefore be more likely until you get your teeth straightened. Healthy gum tissue fits like a glove around straight teeth, and it will be easier to brush and floss between teeth that are aligned well.
Braces may help you avoid certain bite-related health issues. Headaches and other TMJ symptoms can result from an unbalanced bite. When chewing, speaking or yawning, a misaligned bite will exert pressure and tension on the temporomandibular joints on either side of your jaw, which is what leads to headaches, back and neck aches and jaw soreness. You may be able to avoid or eliminate these issues once you’ve gotten braces. You’ll also prevent uneven tooth wearing caused by a bad bite, when the upper and lower teeth overlap in a way that causes rubbing and abrasion.
Modern adult braces are less noticeable and highly effective. Today’s low-profile brackets and wires are not what you remember from high school. You can choose clear ceramic brackets for an even more minimal appearance. Although people will see your braces, they blend well into your overall appearance.
This investment might make sense to you, now that you’re an adult. Maybe your parents couldn’t afford to get you braces when you were younger. That’s not uncommon, especially for families with multiple children. Now that you’re an adult with your own money, you may see that it makes sense to invest in your smile and bite. Going back to the idea that your teeth can last a lifetime, spending money on braces now will pay you back continuously in terms of confidence, better dental health, self-esteem and optimal dental function. If you can avoid problems like discomfort and wear caused by a bad bite, and missing out on a career move because you were embarrassed about your teeth, those are real gains that you can point to when considering the return on your investment.
Now that you’re an adult, you’ll be an advocate for your own orthodontic treatment. Braces require patient compliance: certain foods must be avoided and good dental hygiene must be practiced every day. Bumps in the road – such as a broken bracket from biting into a huge chunk of steak – can delay the completion date. As an adult spending your own time and money on braces, this may be the best time in your life to get braces because you will care about the success of your treatment.
Ready for the Next Step?
In the Cherry Creek/Stapleton area of Denver, please arrange a consultation with experienced orthodontist Dr. Robert Rudman to find out if braces are right for you. He is wholly committed to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams. A significant portion of our patients are adults, and we have seen the transformative power of straightening adult teeth. Call us at 303-331-0222.
