Think You’re Too Old for Braces? Think Again!

Everyone would have a perfect smile in an ideal world, and all human teeth would align as neatly as piano keys. Unfortunately, though, we don’t live in an ideal world. Many people have to live their lives with crowded smiles, crooked teeth, and bites that aren’t aligned properly.

Or do they?

Why Are Orthodontist Treatments Necessary?

You may think that the only issue your misaligned teeth are causing is a slightly crooked smile. But that’s not the case. These issues can potentially raise more than just cosmetic concerns.

• Teeth that aren’t aligned properly can cause facial pain as they put excessive stress on the chewing muscles. Additionally, they can make it difficult to pronounce individual letters and sounds.
• Teeth that are crowded or overlapping each other can be almost impossible to clean thoroughly without a dentist’s intervention. This increases the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases by a lot.
• Teeth that don’t come together properly when the jaw is closed can cause chewing and swallowing issues. This problem is usually referred to as malocclusion or a bad bite.

Am I Too Old to Correct These Issues?

Ideally speaking, it is much easier to correct these issues in children. However, if you’ve grown past childhood or even adolescence, that does not mean that it is wise to ignore these issues.

Recently, there has been a lot of innovation in the field of orthodontics. These innovations have made orthodontic treatments in adults easier. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in five orthodontic patients is above 18.

Indeed, the treatment will likely take longer. However, it is still worth it to fix the issue than wait for things to worsen.