When most people think of braces, they think of children. But, the truth is that It’s never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted.
You may feel that you’ve outgrown braces or missed your opportunity to wear them, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, there are so many reasons to get braces as an adult, and it can enhance your life in a number of ways.
Seven benefits of adult braces
#1. Look and feel your best
Teeth play a huge role in appearance and, in turn, self-confidence. Unfortunately, some people are so self-conscious about their teeth that they refuse to smile with their mouths open or even talk in front of others.
Insecurity because of misaligned teeth can diminish your quality of life in so many ways. But, the good news is that modern orthodontics can give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
The self-confidence you can get from adult braces can impact every area of your life, from your career to your social life.
#2. Eliminate discomfort
When many people think of braces, they often think of achieving a more beautiful smile, but the problems with misaligned teeth go far beyond looks. For some people, misaligned teeth can cause real pain and discomfort, particularly when chewing.
Fixing painful misalignments can alleviate discomfort and improve your quality of life. Pain can greatly diminish your quality of life, and braces can go a long way toward helping you break free of it.
#3. Protect your dental health
Did you know that dental misalignments can often put you at a higher risk for dental problems, including decay? A misaligned bite or crooked teeth can be much more difficult to clean, which means that bacteria and plaque are more likely to build up and lead to dental problems.
Straightening your teeth can enhance your life in so many ways. It’s easier to thoroughly clean every surface of straight teeth, as well as floss in between them.
When it’s easy to clean your teeth, it’s easy to keep them healthy. Simple, regular, at-home dental care is the best and cheapest way to protect your dental health.
#4. Protect your overall health
It’s easy to understand how a misaligned bite or crooked teeth could negatively impact your dental health, but did you know that it can also have an impact on your health overall?
Dental alignment issues can make it difficult to chew your food thoroughly. When you don’t chew properly, it can cause indigestion and other digestive problems. It also increases your risk of choking.
Headaches are another common problem that can arise with crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, which puts additional pressure and strain on the jaw muscles. Furthermore, harmful bacteria from your mouth can actually get into the bloodstream, increasing the risk for heart problems.
#5. Save more money
If you ask most adults what the number one hurdle is to getting braces, many will cite the costs associated with orthodontic care. However, there are a lot more affordable options than there used to be, and the long-term financial benefits of braces often outweigh the costs.
As already mentioned, straighter, better-aligned teeth are easier to take care of and can help to protect your dental and overall health. Crooked teeth break down faster and require a lot more ongoing dental care than straight teeth, and that can really add up.
Plus, there are a lot of options out there to help make the cost of adult braces more affordable. You could look into dental assistance programs in your area, pay for braces with a flexible spending account through your employer and some orthodontics practices even offer payment plans or accept Care credit.
#6. Treatment is shorter than you think
People often think that if they get braces, they’ll have to wear them for years. And, when you’re a kid who has braces, it certainly feels like you’ll have them forever.
But, the truth is that treatment typically lasts from 18 to 26 months. That means that in a little over two years at the most, you could have the smile you’ve always wanted. Plus, you’ll enjoy many of the benefits of adult braces long before treatment is officially complete.
The length of your treatment will depend on a number of factors. These include the degree of the misalignment and the type of braces you choose, as well as many other factors.
#7. There are plenty of options
When most people think of braces, they think of old-fashioned wire braces that children often wear. But, the truth is that wire braces are just one of many options you have available to you.
Want to get braces that no one else can see? Invisalign is just one of the many options for clear braces these days. You can also minimize the appearance of wire braces by choosing a white or frost color. You could always consider lingual braces as well, which are hidden behind the teeth.
Of course, not all braces are ideal for every misalignment issue — or budget. You’ll want to work with an orthodontist you can trust to find the appropriate option for your needs.
Getting the smile of your dreams starts with finding the right orthodontist
The outcome of your treatment — as well as the treatment itself — is dependent on the orthodontist you work with. That’s why it pays to take some time to do your research while finding an orthodontist near you.
A great place to start your search is with Top Rated Local®. You can easily compare orthodontists in your area side by side with the Rating Score™ system, which rates orthodontists based on their reputation across the web. You can also read orthodontist reviews from beyond Top Rated Local, including Google, Yelp and Yellow Pages.
Top Rated Local is the fastest option when you want the full scoop on orthodontists in your area. It has everything you need to find the right orthodontist for you, so that you can get the smile you’ve always wanted.
