Tired of hiding your smile due to crooked teeth, stained teeth or misaligned teeth. If you’re an adult who’s unhappy with your smile, here’s good news. Braces are just as effective for older people as they are for the young.
Many adults believe that they missed their chance of having straight teeth if they didn’t get child hood braces. Today with products like Invisalign, many adults are getting a second chance at having a great smile.
On the other hand, you may wonder if correcting your smile now is worth the time and expense. After all, you’ve lived with your crooked teeth this long. The answer is, resoundingly, yes. Bad alignment and related orthodontic issues can lead to health problems as you age. Correcting your smile is about much more than enhancing your appearance.
Some reasons why you should consider braces despite your age:
1. You will have healthier teeth and gums.
Sometimes crowding is so severe that toothbrush bristles can’t reach every part of every tooth. And, at times, the teeth can fit together so tightly that it is almost impossible to slide a piece of floss between each tooth. The result is a buildup of plaque, tartar and bacteria – all of which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Straight teeth are easier to clean. Plaque your toothbrush cannot reach contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. And gum disease, or periodontitis, can cause tooth and bone loss and a host of broader health issues. Many adults are surprised in their later years to lose sound teeth because of unhealthy gums and bones.
2. No more pain due to malocclusion.
Malocclusion is what happens when your teeth does not fit together properly. This can happen because of a difference in size between your upper and lower jaws, the size and shape of your teeth, and how your adult teeth grew into your mouth. Over time teeth can shift, especially if you’ve lost teeth. If that’s the case, opposing and neighboring teeth shift to fill in the gaps. Malocclusion – whatever its cause – can lead to tooth, jaw, head, and neck pain.
3. Snoring or sleep apnea may be reduced.
Extensive overbite, where your top teeth protrude – the traditional “buck teeth” – can cause your airway to become blocked while you sleep. A partially blocked airway can lead to snoring. If it’s totally blocked, you could experience sleep apnea, which continually disrupts your rest. Sleep apnea is associated with several health issues, including heart problems.
Whatever your age, you can have a perfect smile. If you want more information, call us at (613) 722-8500 for a consultation or a complete exam. We will discuss your options to help find a treatment plan that is right for you.