Adults Getting Braces: It’s More Common Than You Think!

Mar 14th, 2023
Easton Dentists Apr 20th, 2023

When you think of braces, you probably think of pre-teens with a mouthful of metal, but, surprisingly, many adults get braces, too. Why?

There are a lot of people that did not get braces when they were young because either their parents couldn’t afford them, or their teeth could not be straightened out with the techniques of 40 years ago. Now they are having problems with their teeth and gums, get indigestion all the time or they are just unhappy with their smile.

There are others that had orthodontic treatment when they were young, but they did not wear their retainers until they stopped growing (little known fact: you should wear your retainer until you are 24). The result is that their teeth are now a little bit crooked. Now they are unhappy with their smile so they get adult braces too.

As much as 25 percent of the orthodontic treatment being done is being done on adult patients. Most adults get orthodontic treatment because they realize that taking care of your smile is part of taking care of yourself.

What do you think about someone who has an awful smile – does it make them look old and haggard? At the end of an orthodontic treatment, people’s smiles end up looking fabulous. Adult braces can do this very thing for you! When you hear the word “braces,” you might think of adolescents with mouths full of metal. However, did you know that an increasing number of adults are also getting orthodontic treatment? But why is that?

Many adults today never had the opportunity to have braces as kids due to financial constraints or limited orthodontic options available back then. As a result, they may experience problems with their teeth and gums, indigestion or simply feel unhappy with their smile.

Others may have had braces earlier in life but didn’t wear their retainers as recommended until they stopped growing (a lesser-known fact is that retainers should be worn until around the age of 24). Consequently, their teeth may have shifted slightly, leading to an uneven smile. As a result, these adults may also choose to undergo orthodontic treatment.

It may be hard to believe, but up to 25% of all orthodontic treatments are performed on adult patients. Many adults choose to undergo orthodontic treatment because they realize that taking care of their smile is an essential part of self-care.

Your smile is a crucial facial feature, and it’s worth taking care of. Are you satisfied with your smile right now? Does it look as good as it did when you were younger? Studies show that people with attractive smiles are more likely to be seen as attractive in general, and an unattractive smile can make people appear older and less attractive. With orthodontic treatment, however, you can transform your smile into something fabulous.

Getting braces as an adult is becoming increasingly popular. Whether you missed out on orthodontic treatment earlier in life or your teeth have shifted with age, there’s no need to live with a smile you’re not happy with. Orthodontic treatment can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted and boost your self-confidence.

Don’t be afraid to call The Dental Center @ Easton Town Center in Columbus Ohio on advice on what you should do next!

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Introducing Invisalign: What is it?

Jun 7th, 2010
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Remember the kid in your fourth grade classroom with the mouth full of wire? Or the girl in your junior year of high school that everyone picked on and called “metal mouth”? Well, those days are long behind us. The dental industry has developed a new product called Invisalign and although the Dental Center at Easton Towne Center is well known as one of the best emergency dentists in Columbus Ohio, they are now happy to offer Invisalign to their patients.

Braces were bonded to your teeth, which made them difficult to remove. You could always tell the kids who had just gone to the dentist to get “readjusted” because they couldn’t eat anything. Tenderness and irritation to the tongue, lips, and especially the inside of the cheeks made it difficult for a couple of days to enjoy anything other than liquids. Certain foods were forbidden for fear of getting stuck in the braces, or pulling the metal wires away from the brackets and possibly even loosening the brackets. Hygiene was another issue altogether, especially in smaller children, and even some teens. Keeping the braces, mouth, and teeth clean could become cumbersome and sometimes difficult.

Enter the new age. Invisalign is an array of clear, uniquely designed trays. One of the many wonderful advantages to choosing Invisalign is being able to remove the trays whenever you want to drink, eat a particular food, and to ensure proper oral hygiene with brushing and flossing. And no one knows you’re even wearing them. Invisalign creates the same type of force as braces, making the teeth move, just without the wire and brackets. People suffering from TMJ pain, speech impediments, teeth grinding, difficulty eating, and/or chewing, and even tooth decay and gum disease may benefit from Invisalign.

As with braces, it’s important that you work with your dentist to ensure that you make the best choice for the desired results, as well as to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Those also living with tooth crowding, crooked teeth and even an overbite may make good candidates for Invisalign.  

If you don’t want the look of metal and “clear” is what you’re after, consider Invisalign. Presently, over 3 million people across America and Canada wear braces. If you’ve waited to make your decision regarding braces, and you’ve already been advised to get them, or just want to improve your smile, pick up your phone, or go online and contact Dr. Brad Gilmer at the Dental Center at Easton Towne Center to make your appointment now.

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