Are your teeth beginning to look a little crooked? Perhaps you’ve noticed a few gaps in your smile. You’re never too old to get braces!
In fact, about four million Americans already wear braces. About 25% of those individuals are adults, too.
With adult braces, you can improve the appearance of your smile and overall oral health. Otherwise, crooked teeth can put pressure on certain areas of the mouth. You might even develop serious complications over time.
Still on the fence? Asking yourself, “should I get braces?” Here are five reasons to give it some serious thought.
After reading this guide, you can make a more informed decision with your oral and overall health in mind. Read on to discover the top braces benefits today!
1. Improved Oral Health
If you’re asking yourself, “Do I need braces,” look in the mirror. You might notice gaps between your teeth. Perhaps the top and bottom row of your teeth don’t align properly.
You might notice a few crooked teeth that jut out at odd angles, too.
These are all cosmetic issues. However, having misaligned teeth could start a domino effect. You might notice your oral and overall health has started to decline.
For starters, it’s often more difficult to brush and floss crooked teeth. If you’re not brushing and flossing thoroughly, food particles can hide away. Food particles can mix with bacteria to form plaque.
Plaque is a clear, sticky substance that can cling to the surface of your teeth. In time, plaque will harden to form tartar. You’ll need to visit a professional dentist in order to have the tartar cleaned away.
Otherwise, you could leave your teeth and gums vulnerable to bacteria. Bacteria can impact the bone keeping your teeth rooted in place.
You might begin developing cavities or losing teeth.
If you lose teeth, it can cause large gaps in your smile. Nearby teeth will start leaning toward the gap to fill the space. You’ll experience even more alignment issues as a result.
You might need to pay even more money for extensive treatments to improve the state of your smile.
Before that can happen, get braces. Braces can close the gaps between your teeth. You’ll have an easier time brushing, flossing, and keeping plaque at bay.
Avoid Gingivitis
If plaque and tartar get the chance to form, your risk of gum disease could increase. About 65 million American adults struggle with gum disease.
That’s almost half of the country’s adult population.
Tartar can cause the gums to become inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort. Your gums might start receding away from your teeth, too. Your teeth will become more vulnerable to bacteria as a result.
As gingivitis affects your oral health, it can also cause:
- Bad breath
- Pus that forms between the gums
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- White spots on your gums
- Changes in the alignment of your teeth
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth
Without professional treatment, you might even risk losing teeth.
Don’t let gingivitis impact your oral health. Otherwise, the bacteria can spread, increasing your risk of other health complications.
If gum disease progresses, it can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Instead, ask yourself, “Do I need braces?” before gingivitis can impact your health.
2. Chew and Digest With Ease
If your upper and lower teeth aren’t aligned properly, you might find it’s more difficult to chew. You could struggle to eat certain foods if your teeth are crooked, too.
When you don’t thoroughly chew your meals, your stomach has to work twice as hard to digest the foods you eat. You might start experiencing digestive issues.
For example, you could experience acid reflux.
Get braces before you start experiencing issues chewing and digesting. Once the treatment is complete, you’ll have an easier time chewing. Your jaw muscles won’t feel as stiff after meals, either.
Instead, you can chew your foods properly to ensure you avoid potential digestive issues.
3. Avoid Jawbone Erosion and Headaches
If your gums begin to recede from your teeth, your teeth will no longer have the support they need. In fact, you might experience jawbone erosion.
The bacteria in your mouth will have an easier time eating at your bones, too. You might experience tooth loss as a result.
If you’re struggling to chew and bite, you might even start grinding your teeth. Tooth grinding (bruxism) can wear down tooth enamel. Enamel protects your teeth from bacteria.
Bruxism can cause headaches and other side effects. You could even begin grinding your teeth while you sleep. You’ll wake up with your jaw muscles feeling sore as a result.
If you’ve already developed bruxism, schedule an appointment for adult braces right away.
4. Save Money
Gum disease can develop into its advanced form when left without treatment. Remember, periodontitis can increase your risk of health complications. You might require treatment for lung disease, heart disease, or other issues.
If you start losing teeth, you might require dental implants as well.
Starting treatment with adult braces can help you avoid complications in the future. You could save money as a result.
Avoid Accidents
If your teeth are jutting out at odd angles, an accident could knock out a tooth. You might even scratch the inside of your gums. Consider adult braces before you’re in an accident.
Straightening your teeth could help reduce your risk of a serious injury.
5. Boost Your Confidence
One of the best braces benefits you’ll experience is a boost in confidence.
Once your teeth are straight, you won’t have to hide them behind closed lips. Instead, you can grin from ear to ear. You might even feel more confident in social settings.
Straightening your teeth with adult braces could have a major impact on your future.
Start Smiling: 5 Reasons to Get Braces as an Adult ASAP
Are you still asking yourself, “Should I get braces?” Consider scheduling a consultation appointment. You can get braces, start straightening your teeth, and reap these benefits firsthand!
Eager to get started? We can’t wait to see you.
Schedule your free consult and same-day treatment with our team today!