4 Reasons To Reconsider Adult Braces

Having braces as a grown up isn’t quite as troubling as it was when you were a teenager. You no longer have to worry about kids calling you names in the playground or missing out on essential childhood treats such as toffee or popcorn.

Besides the obvious benefits of having perfectly straight teeth, there are a few other reasons that you might want to reconsider getting adult braces. Times have changed a lot since you last thought about braces, and the modern braces of today are probably unrecognisable from the metal contraptions of your youth.

There are Numerous Health Benefits

They aren’t just used to straighten and realign your teeth, and they can also be helpful for fixing a lot of health problems.

• Many people turn to them to fix problems with the alignment of their jaw (underbite or overbite) or to deal with crowding.
• If you have a misalignment in your jaw, this can lead to headaches or facial pain.
• Problems chewing can also lead to gastrointestinal upset.
• In some cases, your teeth might be causing a speech impediment, or they could be the cause of your sleep apnea or snoring.
• As we age, the roof of our mouth changes, and this can lead to breathing problems that can be corrected with braces.

Simply put, fixing your teeth isn’t the only reason to consider getting braces as an adult.

Dentists Really Aren’t That Scary

Many people avoid asking about simply because they are scared of visiting the dentist and can’t imagine volunteering to spend more time in the dentist’s chair than necessary. You might be reassured to know that dentists are well aware of your fears, they don’t take it personally and would actually like to help you get over your fear.

Many dentists will encourage you to book an appointment with your dental hygienist if you are very scared of the dentist’s chair, as this is an easy way to get used to the sounds and sensations of being at the dentist.

You can often also ask that your dentist discusses all treatment plans away from the dentist’s chair, as they recognise that this can be an uncomfortable place. Calling your local dentist and explaining your fears to the receptionist will help you to make a plan for visiting the dentist to discuss getting braces.

Braces Have Changed, Too!

There are many different options for it, so you don’t have to be stuck with the metal ones if you don’t like them – although some people really don’t mind! There are ceramic options, invisible that sit behind your teeth and even completely invisible plastic versions.

Some might not be suitable for your particular problem, but it is worth discussing your needs with a private dentist. They will be able to assess your needs and decide if you would benefit from a more discreet kind of braces. Even the traditional fixed can be made more discreet by choosing clear brackets or ceramic, tooth-coloured braces.

Parting Advice

If you are serious about getting braces, it’s important to remember that it is huge commitment and you will have to follow some strict rules while wearing. Typical treatment times vary, with some patients keeping their on for 12 months, while others wear them for two years. Wearing it will disrupt your life in a number of ways during this time.

There are certain foods you won’t be able to eat and you will also have to make sure you maintain impeccable dental hygiene. It can cause more plaque than usual to build up on your teeth, so you will need to brush them at least two times a day and avoid any foods that will cause problems for your teeth.

Just some of the foods you will have to steer clear of include fizzy and sugary drinks, chewy sweets, popcorn, nuts, chewing gum, some peanut butter and caramel. You’ll also have to be very cautious when eating bagels, pizza crust, corn on the cob, apples and carrots, as these can lead to broken wires or brackets which can be painful and difficult to fix.