Are You Too Old for Orthodontic Braces

When it comes to braces, the very first sets of people that come to your mind are teenagers. Wearing a set of metal braces in the mouth is quite synonymous with young people. But are braces only meant for teenagers alone? The answer is simply no!

While teens count for the multitude that benefits more from braces, people of all ages can also have them. The only requirement needed before putting them on is a healthy jaw bone and permanent teeth. Though it seems odd seeing adults put on braces, it is no big deal. So far your gums and jawbone structure are in excellent condition, it is never late to get braces. For a lot of people, both old and young, orthodontic treatment can boost self-esteem and improve their daily life.

With no age limitation attached to getting braces, having them can help straighten your teeth, provide strength for it, and improve its quality.Using braces will also allow you to enjoy any kind of food. For adults, braces can help in enhancing dental health.

Why Braces?

Braces can be installed on the teeth for many reasons, among which are:

1 . To straighten your teeth:

The older you get, the more you lose collagen. This loss results in a reduced volume and hollowness in the face. This affects the mouth by making the mandible more visible. To a greater extent, the teeth become loose and crooked. Getting braces will straighten the crooked teeth and make it return to its original positions. You can use braces to fix misaligned teeth, as long as the gums and teeth are reasonably strong.

2. To help fix your bite:

Everyone deserves a healthy bite.The bite is characterized by what happens when you close and open the two rows of your teeth. When you close and open the rows of your teeth, the rows should fit together – with no significant gaps anyplace along the line where the two rows meet. This is a crucial component of making certain that your mouth functions correctly. Any abnormality with your bite, if not corrected, can result in headaches and troubles with chewing and talking. Braces are a solution to bite issues.

Requirements for Braces

For dental braces to be fitted in a young patient, all the patient need is a complete set of permanent teeth. The same cannot be said for older patients. To fit braces in older patients, several requirements must be met. These requirements are:

1. Strong teeth and jaws:

Provided you have a set of healthy teeth and good jaws, you can be fitted with dental braces. Strong teeth and jaws are a prerequisite to avoid disease, tooth decay, and gum problems.

2. Misalignments that are not severe:

It is difficult to correctsevere teeth misalignment in adults. Some structural changes are not possible with dental braces for adults (since an adult’s teeth already stopped growing). Severe teeth misalignment in adults will require oral surgery to attain a good result.

3. Dental treatment:

If you have poor oral hygiene beforehand, you must undergo some kind of dental treatment before having braces. The kind of treatment needed depends on the severity of the dental issue. Some treatments require a root canal or filling before braces can be installed.

Regardless of the requirements mentioned above, fixing adult teeth using braces when compared to their younger counterparts is often just as successful. This is because adults tend to adhere to the advice and instructions of their dentists. They are more consistent in keeping good oral hygiene.

Adult Options for Braces

Traditional metal braces are a proven way of straightening teeth.They are characterized bywires and brackets attached to the teeth. The brackets are made of stainless metal that is fixed to the teeth’s external surface. An elastic band holds the bracket through which a wire runs. Braces put pressure on the teeth and gradually adjust the teeth into wanted positions. If you are not sure about having the traditional metal braces all day, there are quite a few other alternatives to choose from. For adults trying to correct their misalignment, they can consider either:

1. Clear Braces:

If you are looking to make the braces a little bit less visible, clear braces are a great option. Clear braces use ceramic bonding that sticks to the teeth and is relatively less noticeable when smiling. The results of clear braces are quite as impressive as that of the traditional metal braces.Nonetheless, without adequate oral hygiene, you are more susceptible to teeth staining.

2. Invisalign:

Also known as plastic braces, invisalign is less conspicuous compared to traditional metal braces.Made of durable plastic, invisalign uses custom-designed clear aligners to shift the teeth to the desired position. They offer you more freedom and adaptability than regular braces do. Though they can be completely removed, invisalign should not be taken out for too long.

Side Effects of Braces

Mild discomfort. Since the braces are working to move the teeth into proper alignment, mouth pain and headaches are expected. However, simple medication can help relieve the pain.

Jaw pain. For treatments that require jaw realignment, you can experience jaw pain. Depending on the severity, medications can also be used to manage the pain.

Tooth decay. While having braces on, you may develop tooth decay which results from poor oral hygiene. It is vital that patients with braces floss once a day and thoroughly brush their teeth twice a day.

Decalcification and dental cavities. Decalcification may appear on the teeth due to poor oral hygiene.Decalcification is apparent as white marks on the teeth. Braces can also increase the possibility of having dental cavities. This is caused when food debris and plaque containing bacteria accumulates on the teeth. With thorough brushing and flossing, decalcification and dental cavities can be prevented.

Conclusion

You are certainly not too old for braces. It does not matter how old you are, braces will help to straighten your misaligned teeth and score you a perfect smile. Although many variables are considered before having braces, age is often not a deciding factor. However, childhood is the best time to make corrections in the alignment of the teeth. For adults, the treatment can be a little more complicated for reasons such as tooth fillings, missing teeth, and other dental issues.