Adult Braces: Are They Worth It?

adult braces

About 4 million Americans are already wearing braces. In fact, 25% of these patients are adults.

On the fence about getting braces for adults? It could have a bigger impact on your health than you realize. From out-of-place teeth to a misalignment, braces can fix a multitude of problems.

Don’t hide away your stunning smile! Instead, consider these eight reasons to get adult braces. Braces can help renew your smile and your self-confidence.

Meanwhile, you can avoid serious oral health complications with a long-lasting solution.

Discover the smile you’ve always wanted. Keep reading to discover the benefits of braces for adults today!

1. Improve Your Oral Health

Have you asked yourself “do I need braces” recently? Take a look at your smile. Do you notice any gaps between your teeth?

Those gaps between your teeth could have a negative impact on your overall health.

Unseemly, crooked teeth aren’t only an aesthetic issue. They also make it more difficult for you to floss, brush, and keep your teeth clean. When your teeth are straight, it’s easier to manage your oral health.

When your oral hygiene improves, you can avoid oral disease and cavities. Otherwise, you could leave your teeth and gums vulnerable to bacteria. Bacteria can spread to every inch of your body.

If you develop cavities, the bacteria can impact the bone keeping your teeth rooted, too. You could lose adult teeth, leaving even bigger gaps between your teeth. The surrounding teeth will move toward the gap, causing more tooth alignment issues.

Meanwhile, you’ll need to pay for more expensive procedures, such as implants, to replace the missing teeth.

Don’t let your oral health deteriorate to that extent! Instead, consider adult orthodontics. Getting braces now could spare you from oral health issues in the future.

The sooner you begin orthodontic treatment, the more likely you’ll avoid crowding, bite issues, or other oral health problems.

2. Easier Chewing and Digestion

Do you have a misaligned bite? What about crooked teeth? Alignment issues could make it more difficult for you to chew.

If you don’t chew your food completely, you’re giving your body more work to do. You might experience digestion issues as a result.

Instead, consider getting braces for adults. You can fix your alignment issues, making it easier to chew. When it’s easier to chew, your jaw muscles won’t feel stiff, either.

You can avoid jaw pain and ensure you properly chew your food. Once you chew better, you’ll notice an improvement in your digestion, too!

3. Avoid Gingivitis

About 65 million American adults have gum disease. That’s almost half of the adults in America!

Gingivitis develops when food particles remain stuck between your teeth. These particles can combine with your saliva and bacteria to form plaque over time. Plaque is a sticky substance that clings to the surface of your teeth.

When left unattended for too long, plaque can form into tartar. Only a professional dentist can clean tartar off your teeth.

If you’re not maintaining your oral health, tartar can cause your gums to become inflamed. Inflammation can cause pain. Meanwhile, your gums will begin receding from your teeth, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to germs.

In addition to pain and receding gums, gingivitis also causes:

  • Pus to form between your gums
  • Swollen, red gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • A bad taste in your mouth
  • Bad breath
  • White spots on your gums (plaque)
  • A change in alignment
  • Loose teeth

You could lose your teeth as well.

Instead of increasing your risk of gingivitis, consider adult braces. Adult braces can close the gaps between your teeth. Then, you can make it more difficult for food particles to get stuck between those gaps!

4. Reduce Headaches

Are you struggling to chew or bite down? If your teeth are crooked, you might develop a misalignment. Your teeth will start to erode, which could cause you to lose teeth.

In fact, you might start grinding your teeth. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, can cause enamel to wear down. Meanwhile, the grinding can cause you to develop painful headaches.

You might wake up with a headache after grinding your teeth in your sleep. Your jaw muscles could feel tight and tired as well.

If you’ve developed headaches and jaw pain, consider adult orthodontics right away.

5. Avoid Injuries

When your teeth are crooked, they’re more likely to poke against your cheek. If you’re in a car accident, a protruding tooth could get knocked out. Having crooked teeth could leave you at a higher risk of injury.

Instead, consider getting braces for adults.

6. Prevent Jawbone Erosion

As your gums begin receding and the gaps between your teeth get larger, your teeth won’t have the support they need. Your gums and jawbone could erode. Meanwhile, bacteria will continue eating at your bones, leading to potential tooth loss.

Consider getting braces for adults to avoid jawbone erosion.

7. Save Money

Remember, leaving your oral health problems untreated could cause even bigger problems down the road. If you develop gingivitis, it could lead to a list of health issues. In fact, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which can increase your risk of:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease

Starting treatment with adult braces right away can help minimize your risk. You can avoid losing teeth as well, which could help you avoid dental implants. Instead, you can keep your teeth aligned and gums healthy.

The cost you’ll pay for braces now can save you hundreds of dollars in the future.

8. Boost Your Confidence

Are you hiding your smile behind closed lips? Don’t! Instead, consider these benefits of adult braces.

By getting braces now, you can straighten your smile for years to come. You’ll feel more confident in your appearance, which can influence how you interact with people. Instead of shying away, you can speak up and start smiling!

You can even get invisible braces, which are far more discreet!

A Worthwhile Smile: 8 Reasons to Get Adult Braces

Braces aren’t only for kids anymore. Consider these eight reasons to get adult braces in 2021. With adult orthodontics, you can make a big difference in your health for years to come.

Start your adult orthodontic treatment and discover your new smile!

Want to discuss your orthodontic options? We’re here to help.

Contact us today to get started!