Did you miss out on having braces when you were a child or teenager?
It’s never too late to straighten your smile, which is why your general dentist may recommend you see our Grand Rapids orthodontists for adult braces.
While most of our patients at Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics are young children and teenagers, adults can still get braces to fix crooked, crowded teeth or a misaligned bite.
Here are a few advantages you have as an adult seeking orthodontic treatment.
Adults Have More Options
There are many different types of braces for you to choose from. For example, ceramic braces match the color of your natural tooth enamel. Many of our choose ceramic braces because they are more subtle than traditional metal braces.
If you feel self-conscious about wearing dental braces, you may want to ask our orthodontists about Invisalign®. Invisalign consists of clear aligners or invisible braces that fit over your teeth to move them little by little. Like the name suggests, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, which means they’re hard to spot for your friends, family, and coworkers.
Adults Are More Determined to Follow Instructions
Generally, adults tend to stick to an oral hygiene routine more than children and teenagers. This means that you are much more likely to be compliant with braces care instructions given by our orthodontists than a child or teenager would.
For example, during your orthodontic treatment you’ll need to stay away from foods that are hard like raw veggies or sticky like caramel. As an adult, you’ve had enough life experience to know that it pays to follow your instructions from your healthcare provider. As a result, you won’t end up with broken brackets or wires.
Adults Take Better Care of Their Teeth
Adults are less likely to neglect daily toothbrushing and flossing compared to young children, which is one of the reasons why your orthodontic treatment would be more successful. It takes diligence to keep up with flossing around wires and brackets. Thankfully, adults are more motivated than children to keep their teeth healthy and in good shape.
Adults Are More Motivated to Achieve the Perfect Smile
One of the reasons why are successful is because the patients are more driven to complete treatment. If you are uncomfortable with how your teeth look now, you probably remember times when you covered your smile or envied people with straighter teeth.
After all, your smile is part of how you make a good first impression. Since adults are well aware of this, they are more motivated to do everything they need to in order to finish their orthodontic treatment.
There’s Always Time for Improved Oral Health
Misaligned teeth increase your risk of cavities and gum disease. Straightening your teeth is about more than just improving the appearance of your smile, it’s also about maintaining good oral health. When teeth are crowded and overlap, it can be hard trying to get a toothbrush or a piece of floss around individual teeth.
Thankfully, orthodontic treatment for adults is designed to move teeth little by little into proper alignment. Teeth alignment is so important for maintaining a healthy smile because it prevents plaque and bacteria from hiding in between crowded teeth.
Start Your Smile Journey Now
Our , at Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics are dedicated to helping you achieve your best smile. If you are interested in getting more traditional braces or discreet Invisalign aligners, schedule an appointment today at (616) 455-4800.
This blog has been updated.