5 Reasons to Get Braces as an Adult
It’s fairly common to see school-aged kids wearing braces. After all, very few people’s teeth naturally come in perfectly straight. Did you know however — that it’s not just kids that can wear braces? In fact, more than a million adults wear braces, and the trend only continues to grow every day. Whether you are uncomfortable with your smile or have trouble with oral hygiene because of the placement of your teeth, adult braces have many benefits.
Here are the top five reasons to get braces as an adult.
1. You Have Many Options
While traditional metal braces are the norm for many braces wearers, you have other orthodontic treatment options for straightening your teeth.
For example, many working adults opt for minimally-visible braces such as clear aligners, ceramic braces, or self-ligating braces. These are all great options for adults that are wary of the impact that traditional braces may have on their appearance. Depending on your budget and the severity of your crooked or misaligned teeth, your dentist will offer some dental options.
In the case that your dental issue is extremely minor, you may even be able to get away with a simple retainer. Unlike braces, retainers are not meant to drastically shift your teeth. Instead, their role is more of a maintenance one. They simply keep your teeth in place. Often times, you’ll only be required to wear a retainer for a certain number of hours per day (such as overnight).
2. You Get More Than Straight Teeth
As you age, your mouth and jaw change shape. Your jawbone naturally loses density, which causes your teeth to shift. Over time, your teeth become crowded, and you experience pain or discomfort when chewing and swallowing. Teeth that overlap also become difficult to keep clean, making your teeth more susceptible to dental decay. Remember, healthy teeth should be spaced evenly apart, allowing for thorough brushing and flossing.
Braces not only straighten your teeth to give you a more natural smile, but they also improve your overall oral health. Many patients who get braces are over 50 years of age, choosing to get braces due to oral discomfort.
3. You Gain Confidence in Your Smile
Studies have shown that people with straighter teeth are viewed as more successful than those with crooked teeth. The reason why is this: people associate straight teeth with health and attractiveness, which means that perceived flaws in your smile can give others a bad first impression of you when you apply for a job, go on a date, or meet people for the first time.
You gain confidence in your smile when you get braces because you no longer have to feel self-conscious about the way your teeth look. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful in a photo. Your smile should always be a benefit, not a hinderance. Write down your concerns about your teeth and discuss them with your dentist to see if adult braces are a good solution for your dental needs.
4. You Can Afford Treatment
Braces are not as expensive as you think. The average adult spends anywhere from $5,000 to over $7,000 to pay for braces. If you need braces for reasons beyond cosmetics — such as preventing dental decay or improving the way you speak and eat — your dental insurance may even help cover your costs.
Check with your insurance company to find out if you have orthodontics coverage, many dental plans do. If you do not have dental benefits, there are payment plans available through various medical lending companies.
The costs for adult braces varies depending on the type of braces you need. Lingual braces are often pricier than traditional braces. Your dentist will show you the braces options best for your oral needs and budget.
Don’t forget, although braces are a financial investment, they pay off over the course of your entire life. Research has shown that people are biased towards perceiving adults with crooked teeth as being unsuccessful. This can impact not only your personal life, but your career as well.
5. You Won’t Wear Braces Forever
The average adult wears braces anywhere from 18 to 26 months. How long you will wear braces depends on the style of braces you choose, how crooked your smile is, and other factors. Your dentist will adjust your braces every several weeks as your teeth respond to treatment. After the dentist removes your braces, he or she will have you fitted for a retainer to align your new smile.
After receiving braces, your mouth will feel sore, and eating and speaking will be uncomfortable while you get used to your dental wear. Your dentist will show you ways to take care of your teeth while wearing braces to keep your oral health in check.
6. Braces May Be Medically Necessary
For many people, braces are seen as a rite of passage during adolescence. However, braces are not just for teenagers—they can also be beneficial for adults. In fact, braces can be medically necessary for some adults.
Here are some common dental conditions which may require braces:
- Underbite
- Teeth Gaps
- Overbite
- Over-crowding
- Jaw-related conditions (such as TMJ)
It’s important to correct conditions such as these, since they can worsen over time. Unfortunately, teeth misalignment rarely corrects itself. Braces are often required to push the teeth into an evenly spaced formation. Remember that in severe cases, untreated misalignment can lead to even more serious dental conditions.
It’s also important to consider quality of life when talking about braces. Even if your teeth misalignment doesn’t cause further dental problems, it can decrease your quality of life overall. Consistent pain and discomfort in the jaw will make sleeping and eating more difficult. Braces can often relieve pain caused by TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, or overcrowding. Therefore, braces may be recommended by your dentist or orthodontist in order to tackle these issues.
Learn More About Braces as an Adult
How Should I Brush My Teeth With Braces?
Whether you’re an adult or a child, the technique for brushing around your braces is the same. Instead of brushing your teeth with your mouth closes, you want to make sure your jaw is open. When you brush, take care to brush both above and below the bracket on the tooth. Keeping your jaw open will help you remember to brush both above and below.
You should never brush your teeth with a back and forth motion, doing so will wear away your gums and cause more problems later on. Instead, you should make tiny circles and use an extra-soft toothbrush to keep your gums clean and strong while you have braces.
For a more visual demonstration, here is a handy video from one of our dental professionals, so you can see exactly how to brush your teeth while you have braces.
Will My Insurance Cover the Cost of Braces as an Adult?
Our division of insurance specialists is committed to helping you get the best possible dental care for your family. If your insurance plan covers braces, then we will do our best to work with any kind of dental insurance.
Looking for Adult Dentists in Tennessee?
Braces can change your life and improve your overall health and oral hygiene. Speak to our highly trained and friendly staff at Snodgrass-King for all your dental needs.
The best part about our practice is that we offer a wide range of services for both children and adults. This means that you can get your teeth cleaned and whitened, while your child gets their sealants and cavity fillings. Our team has experienced dentists specializing in all kinds of patients. Whether you’re booking your first appointment, or your child’s, you’ll be in good hands.
Snodgrass-King offers adult dental services in downtown Franklin, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro, and Mt. Juliet in Tennessee. So whether you live in Davidson County, Williamson County, or Rutherford County, visit Snodgrass-King Family dentistry for all your adult and pediatric dental needs.
To book an appointment, simply call or fill out our online form. In the meantime, feel free to check out some patient info on our website. Here, you can find new-patients forms and insurance info. If you’d like to learn more about dentists before booking your appointment, feel free to head over to one of our “Meet the Doctors” tabs. There, you can get to know some of the awesome team members that will be taking care of your teeth.
