What to expect with adult braces

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Think You Might Want to Get Braces as an Adult?

The situation is simple: You’re a grownup and you want to get braces. Let’s talk about some of the things you should think about before you make this decision. 

As you know, most dentists and orthodontists recommend that people start wearing braces when they are children. However, for one reason or another, many people are unable to get braces when they are younger. Perhaps their families can’t afford it, or maybe the problems with their teeth didn’t begin until they were older. In any case, if you are an adult, and you are thinking about getting braces now, here are some things for you to consider:

Time and Money

There is a cost to getting braces. It can be anywhere up to $6000, depending on the type of braces you get and how long you need to wear them. Most orthodontists will offer some sort of a payment plan, so you wouldn’t need to come up with all of that money at once, but still, you must consider whether you have it in your budget to make this kind of investment.

Braces are typically worn anywhere from 9-18 months or longer. This is a long-term commitment that one must be prepared to make. Of course, you may be a candidate for Six Month Smiles, a new, cutting-edge orthodontic treatment. In fact, Canada Bay Dental is one of very few practices who offers this breakthrough service! Ask us about Six Month Smiles, to see if you qualify. It’s a less expensive and typically shorter path to straight teeth, and your friends may not even realize you’re wearing braces!

Physical Discomfort

We won’t lie to you. You will experience some discomfort with braces. Particularly in the beginning, right after they’ve been put on, you may feel pain as your teeth are adjusting to the pressure of being pulled in new directions. Some people don’t mind it too much, while others find it terribly uncomfortable. The good news is, it won’t last. Like anything new, having braces in your mouth takes a little getting used to, but then after a while, you won’t even notice they’re there.

Sometimes, particularly with metal braces, you can experience soreness in your mouth on the spots where the braces are rubbing against the inside of your cheek. Your orthodontist can give you some wax that can be applied to the parts that are particularly pokey!

You might find yourself drooling a little at night, as your mouth is not used to being full of extra hardware. It may not stay closed as it is used to doing. This bit is more of an inconvenience than anything, as it really won’t hurt you. You may need to do a little extra laundry, though, so if you find that painful, take note.

Changes in Your Appearance

Unless you opt for a translucent option, such as Invisalign or Six Month Smiles, it will be evident that you are wearing braces. There is nothing wrong with this. You just need to be prepared. If you are in an occupation that focuses on your physical appearance, such as public speaking, acting, or other types of performance, you may want to consider how braces will affect your work. Will it interrupt it altogether or will it merely require an adjustment? These are questions only you an answer.

The Benefits of Braces

There is one important thing to consider, particularly if you are in a profession that depends on your looking your best. While the wearing of braces may be a temporary inconvenience, the results will last a lifetime. The investment is certainly something that will have several important dividends:

  • – More Attractive Smile – Nothing contributes more to your good looks than a beautiful smile. This goes for men as well as women.

  • – Improvement of your Facial Appearance – When your mouth is looking the way you want it to, it makes your whole face look better! Sometimes, crooked teeth can actually affect the way your mouth looks in relation to the rest of your features. A straight smile can put everything into better proportion.

  • – Increased Confidence – Looking your best is one of the key foundations to building confidence. When we look good, we feel good about ourselves. It’s nice to be able to contribute to our overall sense of self, merely by changing one thing about our appearance.

  • – Better Oral Health – Crooked teeth can sometimes have negative medical consequences, if it means they are rubbing up against one another. This can result in the wearing away of enamel and an increased risk for cavities or chipped teeth. When teeth are straightened, they have a better opportunity to function properly and live a longer and healthier life.

Things to Remember if You Do Have Braces

  • – Your teeth will need some extra care while you are wearing braces. Here are several things to remember:

  • – Avoid sugary foods, hard, crunchy foods such as nuts and sticky foods that may get caught in braces. Your teeth are just a little more vulnerable right now, and you’ll want to minimize the chances of damage to teeth or the braces themselves. This means cutting down on the risk of developing cavities due to stray food getting caught in your braces.

  • – Avoid staining foods and beverages such as coffee, tea and curry. With so much of your teeth’s surface area covered, you want to minimize the amount of staining you do to the exposed surfaces. This way, when the braces are removed, your teeth aren’t looking discolored in the areas around where the braces were fitted. Who wants striped teeth??

  • – Brush your teeth more often than usual. Carry a toothbrush with you, and make sure you brush after each meal. You’ll want to look out for food getting caught in your braces, too. You don’t want to wear your spinach salad in your teeth for an entire afternoon.

  • – Visit your dentist or orthodontist regularly for check-ups and adjustments during the time you wear your braces. Maintenance is very important, to make sure things are going the way they should. If you ever have any problems or questions during this time period, you can always come in for an emergency visit to deal with unexpected issues.

If you’d like to do more research, this is an excellent website containing detailed information for adults who wear braces. And of course, give us a call any time, or make an appointment for a consultation about straightening your teeth.