Am I Too Old For Braces?

Dental treatments are common. Many of your favorite celebrities have spent a fortune on dental treatments, just to get an attractive smile. Even the people around you may have had braces as kids or underwent certain dental procedures. Some parents can’t afford braces for their children, making adult braces also common.

There is no age limit for braces. Don’t think that you are too old to have an attractive smile and balanced teeth. You are eligible for orthodontic care after your last baby tooth falls out and your adult teeth have fully grown out.

Why Do You Need Braces?

Braces help reverse dental problems. They can fix crooked teeth, align your teeth, fix underbites or overbites, and correct jaw position or disorders. Everyone has different teeth sizes, shapes, and alignments. Teeth are also always shifting, which is why we can’t limit the use of braces to children.

You are never too old to consult an orthodontist. If you have any problems, you can have them address the issue with braces.

Can I get Braces?

The ideal age for braces is between 7 to 14 years. It is better to treat your teeth as early as possible because by the age of 21, most adults’ mouths stop developing and growing. Experts agree that childhood is the best time for oral treatments, but adults can also undergo treatments. In fact, many patients consulting orthodontists are adults.

If you are thinking of opting for orthodontic treatments to solve your jaw or bite problems, or to recover your teeth, you should consider the following things before the treatment:

  • Your bones stop growing after 21, so you will require surgery for bigger structural improvements.
  • The procedure of correction by braces takes more time in adults than in children.
  • The treatment time varies in people and lasts for approximately two years.
  • An adult should consult a periodontist along with an orthodontist to ensure that it will not result in further complications and to avoid suffering from bone loss.

Pros of Adult Braces

Braces can not only help boost your confidence as an adult, it can also play a role in improving your physical health. Once your teeth are aligned properly, you most likely no longer face difficulty in cleaning your teeth because of overbites, underbites, crooked teeth, or other jaw problems. By cleaning your teeth, you can avoid gum diseases, plaque buildup, and cavities, which could otherwise lead to bigger health problems, like heart diseases.

Imperfect bites could also lead to TMJ disorder, headaches, jaw pain, and functional problems in your mouth.  Children have greater chances of quicker treatment for oral problems because of their malleable teeth, but this doesn’t mean an adult can’t get rid of oral problems. Moreover, adults can take better care of their braces compared to children.

There is no age limit to maintaining your health. With age, it becomes your responsibility to consider your physical health before other things. The same goes for braces, they can help you solve many oral issues and can prevent gum or teeth diseases in the long run.

If you live in the Plano, Tx area and are interested in getting braces, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.