Why Braces Are More Than Worth It For Adults
While it’s certainly true that many people get braces when they’re younger, the truth is that there is no such thing as “waiting too long” when it comes to making such an important decision like investing in braces.
For starters, if you have a bite issue, braces are by far the best way to correct it – thus guaranteeing a better quality of life moving forward.
Correcting these types of bite and orthodontic problems now can also help you avoid a myriad of different issues down the load. If you leave your dental issues unchecked, it can lead to issues such as earaches, chewing problems, headaches, bone erosion, chronic jaw pain, face pain, TMJ and much, much more.
All of this is before you even get to the cosmetic benefits that come with having the perfect smile you’ve always seen for yourself. For many adults, the self-esteem boost alone often makes the decision more than worth it.
The Timeframe for Adult Braces
Typically, the amount of time you’ll actually have to wear braces will vary wildly depending on your specific bite issues and long-term care needs. Certain types of problems will obviously take more effort to correct than others, thus requiring longer treatment. Likewise, if you develop any issues during the course of your treatment, adjustments could be necessary that may slightly delay your expected end date. But don’t worry – your orthodontist will go over all of this with you ahead of time so that you know exactly what to expect.
You won’t be wearing your adult braces for any longer than you absolutely need to.
Oral Hygiene with Braces: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices
To be totally clear, making sure that you’re keeping up with your oral hygiene when fitted with braces is absolutely essential – especially for adults. It’s unfortunately very, very easy for food particles to become trapped in the brackets and wires, which can lead to all sorts of different issues if you’re not careful.
You’ll also want to avoid certain types of foods that could get stuck behind the brackets and cause cavities and other problems. There is more information about these foods below.
During your appointment. Dr. Jennifer will explain all of the best and most effective brushing and flossing techniques to you based on which particular type of braces you choose. You’ll leave armed with everything you need to make the best decisions possible during your treatment.
The Foods to Avoid With Braces
Certain types of foods can easily damage or dislodge the brackets and wires of your braces and, because of that, they should be avoided.
This includes but is not necessarily limited to very hard foods like hard candies, very crunchy foods like popcorn or cereals, and any food that you need to bite into like apples and carrots. Sticky foods are also not recommended, so if you’re a fan of licorice you may want to avoid it during your treatment. If you find yourself in a situation where you absolutely MUST eat one of the foods on this list, be sure to proceed with extreme caution and brush your teeth (and floss!) afterward.
