Why Adults Are Taking Up Braces Later In Life?

The years of orthodontic stigma have well and truly passed. “Tin Grin”, “Metal Mouth”, and “Tinsel Teeth” are not the insults they once were.

In fact, braces have become a desirable right of passage for many young people. But what about their older siblings, or parents, or grandparents? Like their fresh-faced counterparts, the stigma of adult braces is also passing.

30 years ago, approximately 1% of patients undergoing braces treatment were adults. Today, this figure is closer to 50% in some clinics! This stunning uptake begs the question, why are adults taking up braces later in life?

Braces distinctly improve oral health

Crooked teeth create pockets for food and bacteria which leads to a number of conditions; from bad breath and tooth decay to heart disease! Correctly aligned teeth are easier to keep clean preventing these issues. Taking care of your teeth in this way can help you keep your own teeth late into life, reducing the need for invasive dental work or dentures.

Affordable and Unintrusive

There are so many options when it comes to orthodontic intervention. For people who can’t have conventional braces, for whatever reason, there are alternatives such as Invisalign or Lingual Braces. The cost of these procedures is very affordable. For patients who may not have been able to afford these procedures years ago, there are now a wealth of  options available.

Braces can make other procedures easier

Using braces as part of a multi-step treatment plan has become much more common in recent years. For patients who require a bridge there may not be sufficient space. Using braces to subtly alter the alignment of teeth can reduce the need for surgery and other invasive measures. Furthermore, braces can correct bite patterns. Unnecessary pressure caused by incorrectly aligned teeth can lead to headaches, misaligned jaw, and needless wear on teeth.

Adults want to look good too!

Being self-conscious is not a feeling restricted to adolescents. Many adults dislike their crooked teeth and as adult braces become more socially accepted, patients feel more confident about undertaking measures to correct features they dislike. Procedures such as Invisalign and Lingual Braces offer correction that is almost undetectable to outside parties.

If you would like to learn more about orthodontic correction in adults, such as adult braces, then contact the friendly team at Tony Weir Orthodontics today!