Why Braces? The Reasons Why Adults Consider Orthodontic Treatment
There are many reasons that more and more men and women are choosing to have orthodontic treatment as adults, including:
Aesthetics
A straight smile can enhance your whole face, helping you look and feel more attractive.
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
With orthodontic treatment, your jaw and teeth will be more evenly spaced, leaving you less vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease.
Bad Bite
Orthodontic treatment corrects your bad bite, which helps your teeth fit together properly. Without correction, a bad bite can cause difficulty with chewing, biting into food, or even speaking.
Jaw Pain
Orthodontic treatment can help shift your jaw as well as your teeth, which relieves pain and pressure.
Many men and women say that they look better, feel better, and are much more confident after having adult braces.
Braces Treatment Options For Adults
Bayside Orthodontics has a range of treatment options for adults. The options for adult braces include:
- Traditional metal braces
- Ceramic braces with clear brackets
- Lingual braces, with brackets on the back of your teeth
- Invisalign, clear removable aligner trays
What is the Timeframe for Adult Braces?
The timeframe for adult braces can vary by patient and individual needs and goals. Our orthodontists’ adult patients usually wear braces for anywhere from 12 to 24 months, but the type of braces and specific approach to teeth straightening can significantly impact your time wearing braces. If fast treatment is your goal, our orthodontists can customize a perfect plan.
How Adult Orthodontics is Different: Adult Braces Versus Childhood Braces
In young patients, the jaw is still somewhat soft because it’s still developing. But, as an adult your jaw is already fully developed — and may have been that way for years. That means that adult orthodontics can be more challenging, and might take longer than the treatment you would have as a child or teen. As an adult, you’re also more likely than children to have periodontal disease or worn or missing teeth, both of which can increase the challenge of orthodontic treatment.
Sometimes, adults had incomplete orthodontic treatment when they were young, or never had any orthodontic care at all, but it’s never too late to straighten your teeth. Even if you’ve spent an entire lifetime with crooked teeth, our orthodontists can help with a customized adult orthodontics plan.
Oral Hygiene With Adult Braces
When you have new braces, it’s especially important to keep great oral hygiene practices going. Take your time to complete a thorough brushing of all teeth, a minimum of twice daily. You may find an interdental brush handy for the between-bracket areas. Floss at least once a day, taking care to thread the floss under the wires of the braces. A floss threader can be very helpful for this purpose. An antiseptic mouthwash is a great way to finish your brushing session and protect your teeth from bacteria.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
It depends on the type of braces. With Invisalign, you’re free to eat whatever you like, as you take the aligners out when eating and drinking. With metal or ceramic braces, as well as with lingual braces, it’s important to be careful of the brackets and wires. Hard, sticky, chewy, and highly crunchy foods can seriously damage or break wires and brackets, so they’re best avoided. Popcorn, taffy, raw apples, caramel candy, and raw carrots are some examples of foods in these categories.
Why Should You Consider Orthodontic Treatment as an Adult?
There are many reasons to consider orthodontics as an adult. Many adults cite improved appearance and boosted self-confidence as leading reasons for getting braces. Of course, there are many other benefits as well, including improved chewing, reduced chance of tooth and gum decay after your teeth are properly aligned, and relief of tooth and jaw pain.
Cost of Braces: How Much do Adult Braces Cost?
The cost of adult braces depends on a few factors, including the kind of braces and the length of your treatment plan. Every patient is different, so our orthodontists will discuss the treatment options and total cost with you during your consultation.