Orthodontics for All Ages: Is It Ever Too Late to Get Braces?
Many people look back on their time as children and are grateful they got braces when they did, even if it felt like the end of the world at the time. Other people may not have been so lucky, and now they’re grown with bites that need to be fixed or crooked teeth that could be straightened. Is it too late to get braces? Let’s find out:
Depends on the health of your teeth
For most adults, you can qualify for braces. If you have had a gap in your teeth for years and finally want to get it fixed or you have problems with your bite and need some orthodontic help, if you have a relatively healthy mouth with minimal to no decay, you’re a candidate, regardless of your age.
The only reason why age would ever be a factor is due to the fact that as we get older, it’s more common for decay and oral disease to become an issue. Additionally, if you have dental implants, you may not be a candidate.
More cosmetic concerns than anything else
For most adults who are thinking about getting their teeth straightened or fixing their bite, they may be concerned about it simply because braces are associated with youth and children. However, if you can get past the “cosmetic concerns” that you have regarding braces, then you may discover that getting them will finally give you that smile that you’ve always wanted.
If you have dental insurance and your orthodontist uses a dental lab scanner and has some good advice on a course of action that is beneficial for you, then why not give it a shot?
It can improve your health
Another reason to think about getting braces is because it can help you have better dental health. Beyond helping you with your appearance, it’s also a good idea to get braces to help you avoid bone erosion and decay that can happen due to overcrowding. Crooked teeth can be difficult to floss and brush as well as you’d like, so if you want to have healthier oral hygiene, speak to your orthodontist about how braces can help you achieve this.
To answer the question, “Is it ever too late to get braces?” The answer is only yes, if having had braces earlier could have helped you avoid dental decay.
It’s too late if you can’t be an adult
Adulting can actually be a lot harder than being a kid with your parents helping you through everything. As a child with braces, your parents will help you stay on top of hygiene as well as the aftermath of wearing retainers post-braces.
As an adult, this all depends on you. Some people will get braces but forget the importance of wearing a retainer after all the work of having braces. Then, they end up back in their orthodontist’s office, needing to go through the process again. Nobody wants to wear braces for a long time, so make sure you’ve got your adulting under control when it’s time to go through the process.
It’s never too late to be confident
If you’re getting braces because you’ve been living with gaps in your teeth or dealing with issues that make you embarrassed to smile, this decision can be a life-changer. You can improve your smile and thus improve your confidence, even if it means going through the embarrassment of wearing braces as an adult. No worries; you’ll get that smile you’ve been dreaming of, and it will be more than worth it in the end.
In Conclusion
Are you seeking to fix your teeth as an adult but feel a bit embarrassed about it? If it makes you feel good about your smile and also helps you maintain healthy oral hygiene, it’s worth it to go through the process and investment of getting braces.
